encorenews from Ohio State Theatre

A scene from OSU Theatre’s production of The Trojan Women 2.0.

Distinguished Guest Professional mime Ph.D. Student Jason Alumna Kim Turney Guest Artist Lenelle Artist Sydney Poitier Gregg Goldston teaches Bush presents teaches two stage Moise performs Womb- inspires the department two movement classes. “Translating Danza combat classes. Words, Thirsting. with anecdotes from his de las Tijeras: The fascinating career. Contemporary Transnational Scene” at the Urban Party Mix in the Roy Bowen Theatre. department of theatre college of the arts encore 2008 1 Dear Friends:

Most of the time I spend in my office is spent “looking ahead.” Whether it is preparing for my next appointment, problem solving our next production, working on details for our next partnership, or planning the next unique opportunity that we can provide the students in our program. The annual publication of Encore is one of the few times that I get a chance to look back and celebrate the many and varied accomplishments of our students, staff, faculty, and alumni. I hope that you too enjoy this review of our past year.

The breadth and depth of our season once again served our ambitious artistic and educational goals by enabling over 300 students to participate in the making of theatre and audiences numbering over 7000 to attend our shows. Our commitment to new works was realized through a theatre-in-the-round experience set up on the Thurber stage for an evening of three short plays. Our second year graduate ensemble production of Wild Stages: Kabarett MFA! was a successful building block in our three-year curricular focus on performer generated new work and community outreach. Charles Mee’s The Trojan Women 2.0, Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, Caridad Svich’s The Labyrinth of Desire, and Working: A Musical rounded out the year.

We celebrated the return of several alumni as guest artists including Meridee Stein, Annie O. Cleveland, Denis Freeh, Richard Farshler, and Kim Turney. In addition to their visits, we hosted solo artists Daniel Beaty and Lenelle Moïse, Broadway lighting designer Beverly Emmons, CEC

Mark Shanda, Chair/Professor ArtsLink Fellow Sofyia Ryabchuck, mime virtuoso Gregg Goldston, and Mr. Sydney Poitier. Each guest enriched our lives by sharing their talents, passion, and insights with all they encountered.

What enhances so many of these great educational opportunities for our students is the support that we receive from our friends and alumni. Although university budgets have been holding steady, costs have risen greatly and the demands on our limited resources never seem to let up. As you go through this Encore, consider the impact that each event detailed has had on our students and think about sending some money our way. What could your donation make possible for next year? As you know, all of us in theatre really know how to stretch a dollar, and I can assure you that whatever the size of gift that you might be able to send our way will go a long, long way.

One final note, a significant department change happened with the retirement of Sonja Kalamas-Elder after 36 years of fine service to the university. We certainly continue to move forward, but a day hardly goes by where we don’t discover some aspect of our operation that wasn’t affected by Sonja. Her care for students is legendary, the void that she left significant, and we all wish her well in this new chapter in her life called retirement!

Enjoy reading about our exploits and please be in touch,

Mark Shanda Chair/Professor

2 encore 2008 OSU Theatre 2008 – 2009 Season p a g e 2Letter from the Chair 4 2007–08 Season in Review Pouring Tea: Black Gay Men of the South Tell Their Tales 6Guest Artists and Scholars by E. Patrick Johnson October 3 8Outreach and Engagement 9TRI Report Noises Off By Michael Frayn 12 Spotlight on Students October 30 – November 9 15 End Of Year Celebration & Awards Pangea 17 Regional Campus Reports By Stephen R. Culp November 13 – 23 19 Faculty and Staff Updates Just Like Us 23 Alumni and Friends By Craig Sodaro 27 Just For Laughs February 6 – 8 28 Midnight Robbers: The Artists of Notting Hill Carnival M.F.A. Outreach and Engagement Project By the M.F.A. Acting Class of 2009 29 Sonja Kalamas-Elder Retirement / The Colored Museum February 19 – March 1 30 Buckeye TV / North Goes to Chicago Machinal 31 Remembrances of Marcel Marceau by Sophie Treadwell February 26 – March 6 32 Research in Germany / Student International Opportunities 33 London Theatre Program 2008 Godspell Conceived and Originally Directed by 34 Some Final Words John-Michael Tebelak Music and New Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Originally Produced on the New York Stage by Edgar Lansbury / Stuart Duncan / Joseph Beruh encore April 16 – 19 is the annual newsletter of The Ohio State University Student New Works Department of Theatre M.F.A. Actors 1089 Drake Center May 8 – 16 1849 Cannon Drive Columbus, Ohio 43210-1208 B.A. Actors Office: 614-292-5821 May 28 – 31 Fax: 614-292-3222

Editor-in-Chief: Design/Layout: Mark Shanda Derek Higaki

Editor: Written and researched by the Faculty, Wild Stages: Kabarett MFA! Damian Bowerman Staff and Students of the Department of Theatre. “...cheeky, smart and, in its own unstuffy Contributors: Diana Bae, Joe Brandesky, way, educational. It may be everything Raymond Caldwell, ChuYoung Chon, All Alumni and Friends information that serious theater in a university setting Nena Couch, Joseph Fahey, Lesley Ferris, is collected from Alumni, Friends, Dave Fisher, Denis Freeh, Russell Hainline, and other readers; gathered and should be: at once a vital history lesson, Charmel Joiner, Jordan Kardasz, Virginia processed at the Department of Theatre; a timeless political statement and a Logan, Eric Mayer, Robin Post, Christina researched, edited, and placed either thoroughly entrancing performance.” Ritter, Jeanine Thompson, David Williams in our encore publication or the Alumni page of encore on our website: - Jay Weitz, Columbus Alive theatre.osu.edu

encore 2008 3 2007–2008 season in review

The Trojan Women 2.0 The Labyrinth of Desire by Charles Mee. Roy Bowen Theatre. By Caridad Svich. Roy Bowen Theatre. Directed by Maureen Ryan and Jeanine Directed by Jimmy Bohr. Set Design Thompson. Set Design by Matthew D. by Victor E. Shonk. Costume Design McCarren. Costume Design by Lindsay by Lydia Fleck. Lighting Design by Simon. Lighting Design by Anthony Matt Hazard. Sound Design by Eric Pellecchia. Sound Design by David M. Slezak. Stage Manager Sarah Toro. Stage Manager Becky Hitt. Helgesen. November 1 – 17, 2007 February 14 – March 1, 2008

Medea Much Ado About Nothing By Christopher Durang and Wendy By William Shakespeare. Thurber 1 Wasserstein. Thurber Theatre. Directed Theatre. Directed by Mandy Fox. Set by Beth Kattelman. Set Design by Design by Corinne Porter. Costume Greg Owen. Costume Design by Katie Design by Crystal Herman. Lighting Dysard. Lighting Design by Greg Owen. Design by Gregory Owen. Sound Design Sound Design by James Knapp. Stage by Brandon Massay and Adrianne Manager Jennifer Kramer. Varwig. Stage Manager Laura Hum. November 8 –19, 2007 February 21 – March 1, 2008 This year the following individuals shared their knowledge and insights at our post- English Therapy Wild Stages: Kabarett MFA! performance discussions. By Nancy Gall-Clayton. Thurber By The M.F.A. Acting Class of 2009. Theatre. Directed by Nicholas Dekker. Roy Bowen Theatre. Directed by John Much Ado About Nothing Set Design by Greg Owen. Costume Giffin. Set Design by Ellinore Loomis. Richard Dutton, Professor, OSU Department Design by Corinne Porter. Lighting Costume Design by Elisa O’Neal. of English Design by Matt Hazard. Sound Design Lighting Design by Jordan Kardasz. by James Knapp. Stage Manager Sound Design by Adrianne Varwig. Wild Stages: Kabarett MFA! Jennifer Kramer. Stage Manager Jennifer Kramer. Matthew Yde, Dramaturg and Ph.D. Theatre Student November 8 – 19, 2007 May 1 – 17, 2008 Working: A Musical Working: A Musical Laura Baggs, Dramaturg and Honors B.A. Vendetta Chrome From book by Studs Terkel. Adapted Theatre Student By Sally Oswald. Thurber Theatre. by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso. Directed by Christina Ritter. Set Design Songs by Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, by Greg Owen. Costume Design by Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead, Sarah Sugarbaker. Lighting Design Stephen Schwartz, James Taylor. by Jordan Kardasz. Sound Design by Dance Music by Michele Brourman. James Knapp. Stage Manager Laura Original production directed by Jack. Stephen Schwartz. Thurber Theatre. November 8 – 19, 2007 Directed by Christopher M. Roche. Set Design by Sarah Sugarbaker. Costume The Labyrinth of Desire The Three Bully Goats Griff Design by Annie O. Cleveland. Lighting “What sustains one’s interest By Patrick Rainville Dorn. Mount Hall Design by Matthew D. McCarren. are the antic movements, Studio Theatre. Directed by Johamy Sound Design by Christopher Zinkon. seductive postures and Morales. Set Design by Lindsay Beery. Stage Manager Lindsay Beery. bawdy gestures that generate Costume Design by Marysha Sarris. May 15 – 23, 2008 laughter beyond the dialogue. Lighting Design by Eric M. Slezak. The striking design helps, Sound Design by James Knapp. Stage too. The Mediterranean spa Manager Liz Tufts. setting morphs into the title’s February 1 – 3, 2008 labyrinth with artful lighting.” - Michael Grossberg, The Columbus Dispatch

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PHOTOS 1 Medea 6 Vendetta Chrome 2 English Therapy 7 Wild Stages: Kabarett MFA! 3 Working: A Musical 8 The Labyrinth of Desire 4 The Three Bully Goats Griff 9 The Trojan Women 2.0 5 Much Ado About Nothing encore 2008 5 By Virginia Logan (M.F.A. Acting Student)

Former Thurber House playwright-in- Sofiya Ryabchuck, a 2007 CEC ArtsLink Daniel Beaty in a residence Sally Oswald returned to Fellow, and the project manager for the scene from his one- campus in the fall to further develop her Theatre Center of Kyiv Mohyla Academy man show, new play Vendetta Chrome, performed in National University in Kiev, Ukraine was Emergence-SEE! the Evening of One Act Plays November with the Department of Theatre for five 8 -19th in Thurber Theatre. Throughout weeks in the fall. She participated in many the project Sally worked closely with the departmental classes, workshops, rehearsals, cast and director in refining the piece. meetings and performances. While on The play had a New York debut showcase campus she also exchanged ideas for arts production in June at Clubbed Thumb as marketing and management strategies, part of their Summerworks festival at the shared experiences about the challenges Ohio Theater in Soho. of managing an organization with a dual Guest playwright educational and professional mission, Nancy Gall-Clayton. Poet, playwright and performance artist and taught faculty, staff and students the Lenelle Moïse performed her solo show differences in production management and Womb-Words Thirsting on September academic structure at the Theatre Center of 28th in the Roy Bowen Theatre. Her frank Kyiv Mohyla Academy National University. engagement of the audience and the sensitivity with which she approached her Award-winning actor, writer, singer and bold subject matter was refreshing and composer, Daniel Beaty, came to OSU in inspiring. She also led a workshop with the fall with his solo show Emergence-See!. the M.F.A. Actors – discussing process, This show explored the effect that slavery writing, and ensemble performance has had on the modern psyche featuring Mr. exercises. Beatty’s facile ability to switch between his 40 characters. David Wood held a discussion of his life Guest artist writing plays for children. He was dubbed Sydney Poitier, distinguished actor, director, Lenelle Moïse. “the national children’s dramatist” by Irving and author, presented a talk-back in the Roy Wardle in The Times and has recently Bowen Theatre in the fall for theatre students. published, to rave reviews, Theatre For As a Barnett Distinguished Visiting Lecturer, Children: Guide To Writing, Adapting, Mr. Poitier also presented a lecture at Mershon Directing And Acting (Faber), co-written Auditorium. with Janet Grant. In the fall we were joined by Nancy Gall- Jason Buyer came to the department Clayton, the playwright for English Therapy, in the fall to share his presentation one of the shorts in the Evening of One Act “Marketing for the Actor.” He began Plays in November. She is both a playwright casting extras and commercials in his and a teacher, and visited classrooms and home town of Chicago, Illinois nearly rehearsals to discuss her work. eleven years ago. Since arriving in Los (Left to right) Alan Woods, John Jay, Nena Couch, Angeles, he has worked on over ten pilots Seven-time Tony nominee Beverly Matthew Hazard, Beverly Emmons, Gregory and dozens of episodic television shows. Owen, Jordan Kardasz, Louise Guthman, Anthony Emmons was the Annual Jerome Lawrence Pellecchia, Matthew McCarren, and Mary Tarantino at Emmons’ presentation.

Guest playwright Sally Oswald.

Meridee Stein shares her life’s work with the First All Children’s Theatre (First A.C.T.).

Jeffrey Weissman appears as Groucho in a scene from Just for Laughs. 6 encore 2008 and Robert E. Lee Theater Research Institute also performed several pieces at an open lecturer in October in Thurber Theatre. presentation/talk-back in April, where his Emmons has designed for many Broadway, graduate students also performed. Goldston Off-Broadway, regional theatres, dance is an internationally known mime having concerts and opera in the US and abroad. performed for over 30 years, touring around Annie Cleveland. Casting Agent She is currently a professor at Columbia the world, opening the Goldston and Johnson Jason Buyer. University. School for Mime, and working very closely with Marcel Marceau. Meridee Stein (B.A. 1969) returned in the spring for a public talk-back and a workshop Kim Turney (B.C. 1986, M.F.A. 1992) with the M.F.A. Actors. Ms. Stein was the returned in the spring to teach Stage Combat founder and Artistic Director of the First All classes for graduate and undergraduate Children’s Theatre (First ACT). Her shows students and to present a talk-back in the have been presented nationally at such Roy Bowen Theatre in May. Turney has acted places as The Kennedy Center, BAM, NY in regional theatre, worked in marketing for Shakespeare Festival/The Public Theatre, and Disney, is currently the business manager for Lincoln Center. the Academy of Theatrical Combat in L.A. and is the Director of Educational Administration Annie Cleveland (M.F.A. 1990) returned for Freshi Films. to design costumes for the spring 2008 Dramatist David Wood (center) discusses his career writing plays for children. production of Working: A Musical. Cleveland is a member of the United Scenic Artists Union, local 829. Her most recent union designs were for Walden Media, a subsidiary of Disney, designing costumes for children’s theatre productions at the Walden Family Playhouse in Denver.

Jeffrey Weissman, along with OSU alumni Denis Freeh (B.A. 1963) and Richard D. Farshler (B.S. 1963), returned to OSU to perform Just for Laughs, a comedy review in the Roy Bowen Theatre. Freeh and Farshler recreated some comedy gems that were originally done when they were OSU students. Proceeds of the shows went to undergraduate C.E.C. Artslink Fellow Sofiya Ryabchuck presents Mime artist Gregg Goldston demonstrates the scholarships in the Department of Theatre. her lecture, “Ukrainian Theatre as a Challenge.” “Derby Lean.”

Gregg Goldston visited as a guest lecturer in the spring to teach Mime classes for both graduate and undergraduate students. He

Alumna Kim Turney demonstrates basic stage Karen Bell (left) moderates a discussion with combat techniques. Sidney Poiter (right) in the Roy Bowen Theatre. encore 2007 7 InterACT By Robin Post, Lecturer and Director of InterACT

Samantha Nevins struggles to ignore a a new scene develops on the spot when the disruptive and seemingly aggressive student audience is invited into the theatre space and in her introductory theatre class. She is is called on to interact with the characters. obviously unnerved by the student’s behavior The audience is encouraged to ask questions, and doesn’t want to exacerbate an already offer solutions, and volunteer to play the part difficult situation. of the TA. They are given a safe format to try out possible problem solving techniques on Unlike recent tragic events at other college a pretend group of students who have failed campuses, the scenario in this case isn’t to work together effectively. The audience Jessica Studer, Katie Bowman, Diana Bae, Porsha Evans, Alicia Huddleston, Meghan real because the need not worry about Ninneman, rehearsing an InterACT scene. aggressive student, making mistakes. the teacher’s This is a playground and self-efficacy is really a remarkable thing.” assistant, and the where mistakes The demand for InterACT has grown as the other students in are welcome and university community recognizes the value the class are all are essential to and need for new and innovative methods of actors. They are discovering what instruction about challenging topics. This year members of an may or may not InterACT served Faculty and TA Development undergraduate work. The audience (FTAD), First Year Experience (FYE), University service learning also engages in Extension and Outreach, The College of class called conversation with Engineering, College of Food, Agriculture and InterACT that one another during Environmental Sciences, WOSU Public Media received the these performances. at COSI, The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA), Multicultural One of InterACT’s and the James Cancer Hospital. Award for best goals is that this program in 2007 dialogue will InterACT was nominated for the C. Peter and continued continue long after Magrathy University Community Engagement to develop Top Left to Right: Robin Post, Jessica Studer, the peformance. Award this year. The award was established their outreach Malerie Tabern, Angela Wilson. Middle Left to in 2006 to recognize outstanding outreach partnership and Right: Porsha Evans, Alica Huddleston, Meghan InterACT made a Ninneman. Bottom Left to Right Diana Bae, and engagement partnerships between service in 2008. Alec Clairmont, Katie Bowman. new and profound universities and community partners. InterACT has made partner with survivors it its mission to of cancer from the write and perform real life scenarios that occur James Cancer Hospital. During the winter and on campus and in some cases, beyond, in an fall quarters, InterACT students and cancer effort to provide instruction and make change. survivors collaborated to devise a theatrical piece that celebrated survivorship, strength, In another scenario, tensions rise within a and life. Both students and survivors shared team of undergraduate engineering students the stage to present their creation in July working on a class project when one member during the Nationwide Summer Conference consistently makes sexist remarks about a on Survivorship in Columbus, OH. Students peer. This scenario is used as course material and survivors alike expressed their deep for an engineering class on college teaching appreciation for this unique opportunity. Of and intended to provide instruction on team the partnership, Director of JamesCare for Life management. The performance provides live Patricia Schmitt said, “It’s been nothing short interaction with the problem and is a unique of remarkable and probably one of the single alternative to the more typical lecture or most effective an meaningful experiences PowerPoint presentation on similar topics. we’ve ever provided our cancer survivors.... To see individuals move from a state of fearful What makes InterACT unique is that all of the anxiety that often accompanies living with actors are trained in improvisation and remain great uncertainty due to a challenging (and in character after each scenario has played uninvited) disease to one of empowerment itself out. When the scene comes to an end,

8 encore 2008 The Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute Report School Tour By Nena Couch, Professor By Russell Hainline (M.A. Student) and Curator, Lawrence and Lee Theatre Research Institute Caehlin Bell (M.A. 2008)

The Department of Theatre again presented The Three Bully Goats Griff, an adaptation The Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Eleven playwrights attended the annual by Patrick Rainville Dorn of The Three Billy Theatre Research Institute’s 2007-2008 retreat of the International Centre for Women Goats Gruff, as this year’s school tour. After year was outstanding in terms of programs, Playwrights hosted by Alan Woods in August a weekend of performances on campus acquisitions, and teaching. The Prague 2007. Readings of works-in-progress by a in the Mount Hall Studio Theatre, the Quadrennial, an international design wonderful band of volunteer performers were cast of nine along with the tour manager, competition and exhibition, was held in June highlights—much more about the retreat at stage manager, and director toured for five 2007, and thanks to the generosity of the weeks throughout February and March icwpohioretreat.blogspot.com. and performed at nine elementary schools OSU Department of Theatre and the Libraries, 2007 was a great Lawrence and Lee year around the Columbus area. Over 2,000 Nena Couch joined tour leader Joe Brandesky kindergarten through 6th graders saw this and a number of theatre faculty and students with an outstanding revival of Inherit the show which teaches about the effects of who attended. In addition to enjoying PQ, Wind on Broadway with Christopher Plummer bullying. Many schools incorporated the she had the great pleasure of meeting with as Drummond and Brian Dennehy as Brady. show into their curriculum and other anti- a number of Czech designers, and bringing The Curtiss Show Print Collection bullying initiatives. back to the institute works by Jaroslav Malina, donated last year and added to this year Jana Zboĭilova, and Jan Štepanek and the by Nyle Stateler has been very busy. The As violence in school intensifies, it loan of a beautiful puppet and her design becomes increasingly important to Association for College Research Libraries by Petr Matasek. The TRI’s Jarka Burian address bullying as a precursor to more published a beautiful volume celebrating collection on Czech theatre has grown this aggressive and disruptive behavior. the organization’s sixty years, and selected year, with additions generously donated by Prevention starts in the elementary Curtiss materials to represent the Ohio State Grayce Burian. schools where students can learn early University Libraries. In addition, Nena’s article how to discuss and address bullying. on Curtiss Show Print (Continental, Ohio) and Along with the performance, students had Hatch Show Print (Nashville, Tennessee) has a question and answer session with the actors, and the teachers received a study just come out in Theatre Survey, the journal guide with classroom activities about of the American Society for Theatre Research, tolerance and communication and a list of with a Curtiss poster on the cover. TRI staff resources on how to deal with bullying in Beth Kattelman, Kathleen Kopp, and Rebecca their classroom. Kallemeyn worked with the Curtiss collection during the year, and Bob Tauber of the OSU Hartman Brawley and Kyle Jepson in a scene Libraries’ Center for Book Arts generously from The Three Bully Goats Griff. made his presses available and helped

Dwayne Blackaller and Sandra Hughes meet to share Kathleen in her project to make record prints ideas and experiences. of the more than 1200 printing blocks in the collection. 2007-2008 Lawrence and Lee Lecturer and internationally known lighting designer Marcel Marceau, the great French mime, died Beverly Emmons has done numerous in September. Through several residencies productions with Joseph Chaikin, Meredith at OSU arranged by his protégée and faculty Monk, and Robert Wilson, and has worked member Jeanine Thompson, Marceau with choreographers Trisha Brown, Martha touched and inspired many of our students. Graham, and Merce Cunningham. Documentation of his work at the Institute will keep his genius alive for future generations. 2007 saw another Eileen Heckart Senior Drama Competition, honoring the great In November, writer extraordinaire Hollis performer, OSU alumna, and Columbus Alpert died in Naples, Florida. Hollis first native, Eileen Heckart. Over 500 plays were became part of the Institute family w hile submitted this time around—the results are using the Robert Breen collection for his book, at heckartdrama.blogspot.com. Staged The Life and Times of Porgy and Bess, and readings of the winners, finalists, and later established his collection here. Nena had semifinalists were presented during the year. the honor of speaking at the memorial service

encore 2008 9 The Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute Report (continued)

in Naples. An evocative portrait of Hollis, which was featured in Midnight Robbers. Ken Playwrights have been very generous again given last year by artist Tammra Sigler and Rinker, dancer with Twyla Tharp in the 1970s, this year with their own work including beautifully framed by Val Pennington, was has contributed his collection of materials Catherine Filloux; African American on display at the service. Hollis’s close friend documenting his own work. Long-time Playwrights Exchange contributors Grace Lacey King has made a generous donation supporter Paul Stiga donated materials of Cavalieri, Joy Jones, Henry Miller, OWA, and of additional papers, photographs, and costume historian Millia Davenport, author of Jamal Williams; and International Centre other materials to the Hollis Alpert Literary The Book of Costume, a foundational resource for Women Playwrights writers Emily Ball Collection. Maureen and Mickey Winograd, for clothing and theatre costume history; a Cecchini, Jean Seitter Cummins, Linda David S. and Helga Miller, and Joan Blessing full set of designs for a 1900s production of Eisenstein, Hortense Gerardo, and Sandra K. have given gifts in Hollis’s memory. Jungfrau von Orleans, and bracelets designed Hoskins, Shirley King, Judith Pratt. for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival by Noel The collections continue to be enriched by Taylor. Carole Abrahams donated outstanding We are very excited that, through OhioLINK, many generous donations. Dr. Joel E. Rubin, material on the professional work of we can at long last mount searchable finding of Kliegl Bros. Lighting, and co-founder of the Broadway and West End producer Doris Cole aids to our wonderful collections on the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, Abrahams. Richard Eyen donated a fabulous World Wide Web. To see what is up so far, has established a collection on theatre lighting film poster for Dreamgirls. Tom Minnick and go to “Browse by Contributing Institution” at that includes catalogs and other print material Cristian Donoso donated five prints each ead.ohiolink.edu/xtf-ead/, and look at the from the earliest published Kliegl catalog from Boydell’s Shakespeare Gallery. Charles listings for The Ohio State University Jerome in 1898; a 1930s set of glass slides and Chatfield-Taylor, grandson of the Russian artist Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research accompanying script for a Kliegl presentation Boris Anisfeld, has donated an oil portrait by Institute. Beth has been very active on the on stage lighting; hand-painted glass “Pose” Anisfeld of his daughter, Charlie’s mother, OhioLINK task force that has made this home slides from the late 19th, early 20th centuries which will be shown in a summer 2008 for finding aids possible. accompanied by a scrapbook of the original exhibition. Beth and Nena also worked with slide designs; and original technical drawings. the curators of the Wexner Center’s Film/ A gift of thousands of slides of the work of Video Department to establish an ongoing designer Gordon Micunis was donated by Jay collection at TRI that will house posters, Kobrin, joining the beautiful original Micunis presskits, and other informational materials designs held by the Institute. Lesley Ferris acquired as a result of the Film/Video and Ruth Tompsett, co-curators of Midnight Department’s programming. Many thanks Robbers: The Artists of Notting Hill Carnival a go out to donors who have added to already wonderful exhibition which opened in London established collections: Charles H. McCaghy, and came to the OSU Urban Arts Space Grayce Burian, Dorothy Indenbaum to the in February 2008, have donated materials Dalcroze School of Music collection, Louise documenting Carnival. In addition, the Guthman to the Tom Skelton collection, Lawrence and Lee Institute commissioned Nena Couch and Sandra Hughes peruse a scrapbook Michele LaRue to the East Lynne Company from Sandra’s latest addition to the Sandra L. Hughes a sculpture by carnival artist Carl Gabriel collection, Marianne Evett, Elizabeth Maupin, Theatre Collection. Jeffrey Eric Jenkins, Bebe Miller, Michael Grossberg. Alumna Meridee Stein, founder of Beth also represented the Institute at this the First All Childrens Theatre, added DVDs year’s Barnett Symposium held at the to the First ACT collection, Many donors have Urban Arts Space, and Nena attended kept us up to date with programs, books, Dance Heritage Coalition meetings as the journals, posters, photographs, videos, and OSU representative. other materials including Charles Babcock, James Bailey, Tom Bay, Melissa Bialko, Vera The Lawrence and Lee Institute was honored Borkovec, Marvin Carlson, Chuyoung Chon, to receive a 2008 Theatre Roundtable Harold Professor Tanya Clyman, Harold and Anita Award “for its ongoing work over decades in Eisenstein, Mrs. William B. Emmons, Jr., gathering and preserving one of the nation’s Lesley Ferris, Anca Galron, Fred Holdridge, leading collections of theatrical historical Lucy Lee, Valerie Lucas, Sheila Marion, Orville materials.” On hand from TRI at the annual David Emmes and Martin Benson speak at the Margo Martin, Barbara Musso, Geoffrey Nelson, Heidi Jones Medal presentation at the South Coast Repertory award event to receive the award were Alan Theatre in Costa Mesa, CA. Nielsen, Gayle Stahlhuth, and the Stratford Woods. Nena Couch, Beth Kattelman, and Festival of Canada. Orville Martin.

10 encore 2008 The Margo Jones Award, founded by Jerome Acting Student Dwayne Blackaller and Sandra Lawrence and Robert E. Lee to honor “citizens were able to share some time talking about of the theatre who have demonstrated their art before she had to return to Atlanta. a significant impact, understanding and affirmation of the craft of playwriting, with a There’s been a whole lot of teaching going on, lifetime commitment to the encouragement with Alan’s honors seminars researching plays of the living theatre everywhere,” was in Institute collections and interacting with given for 2007-2008 to David Emmes and the playwrights (Nancy Gall-Clayton, Julia Martin Benson, co-founders of South Coast Pearlstein, Linda Eisenstein, and Robert Gately Repertory in Costa Mesa, California, on May 1. visited Columbus to discuss their work with Under Emmes’ and Benson’s guidance, South students); Alan’s popular course in censorship Coast Repertory has premiered 103 plays and which draws heavily upon the Charles H. has given commissions to nearly 150 writers. McCaghy Collection of burlesque materials; Over 80 percent of new plays launched at Beth’s freshman seminars on horror films SCR have gone on to subsequent productions and culture; and Theatre Research Methods at theatres across the nation. Their records taught by Beth and Nena with graduate of accomplishment in theatre make David students doing excellent research projects on Emmes and Martin Benson ideal recipients of a variety of topics using Institute collections the Margo Jones Award. including those of designers Gordon Micunis and Tony Straiges, actor-humorist Robert Post, choreographer Twyla Tharp, director/ producers Robert Breen (Porgy and Bess) and Ted Lange (film of Othello), playwright Beverly Emmons’ presentation about her career as an Tom Eyen, companies Reality Theatre and award-winning Broadway lighting designer. Harmount Uncle Tom’s Cabin, actress Isabel Bigley Barnett, and others. Mary Tarantino’s graduate lighting design seminar spent autumn quarter at the Institute exploring the lighting genius of Tom Skelton in the copy collection given by his associate and OSU emerita faculty Louise Guthman. Sitting left to right: Deborah Robison, Janet Waldo Lee, Alan Woods, Nena Couch, Joe Branin. Standing left Orville Martin continues to supervise the to right: Joshua Lee, Lucy Lee, Jonathan Barlow Lee, Martin Benson, David Emmes, Neila Lee, Jenny Lee at reading room and is head guru of the the Margo Jones Medal presentation. website; Kathleen Kopp continues her work with the TRI’s art holdings, while Mask and Mime artist, director, both Anca Galron and Joan Wells are choreographer, playwright, and artistic here several days a week as cataloguers. director Sandra Hughes visited the Lawrence Our student staff has included graduate and Lee Institute just after spring quarter students D. Dwayne Blackaller, Chuyoung to help Nena work through an extensive Chon, Emily Fargo, Becky Kallemeyn, Jirye Lee, Bruno Lovric, and Brittany Nau, Deborah Robison and Janet Waldo Lee speak at the addition to the Sandra L. Hughes Theatre Margo Jones Medal presentation at the South Coast Collection which she established some and undergraduates Justin Culver, Leslie Repertory Theatre in Costa Mesa, CA. years ago documenting her original theatre Dow, Anait Grigoryan, Bonita productions for the stage featuring masks, Jackson, Eddie Kerwin, Emily mime, dance, music and spoken work which Metz, and Andrew Sattler. have been performed at theatres, festivals, We are very proud of Emily performing arts centers, colleges, universities, Fargo and Becky Kalleymeyn and schools in 30 states in the U.S. and who received Department 12 other countries. Sandra’s background of Theatre Graduate Student includes mime training with Marcel Marceau Excellence Awards for their and Juki Arkin, dance with Valentina Litvinoff outstanding work at TRI this of Isadora Duncan’s Russian School, acting year. Dean Capper completed at the Stella Adler Acting Conservatory his work with the Institute’s in New York City, Japanese Noh Theatre Dalcroze collections. We are training with Akira Matsui and Richard very grateful to our fabulous Emmert, a professional acting and directing volunteers of 2007, Barbara Mark Shanda, Alan Woods, Nena Couch, Beth Kattelman and Orville apprenticeship at the Cleveland Play House Butler and Chuck Moulton. Martin accepting the Harold Award at the Annual Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable Awards. and theatre studies at Ohio University. M.F.A.

encore 2008 11 By Damian Bowerman, Graduate Studies and Publicity Coordinator, and Eric Mayer, Undergraduate Studies Coordinator and Webmaster

Undergraduate and graduate students grew Ph.D. Student ChuYoung Chon’s B.A. Student Laura Baggs, candidate as artists and students of theatre during the proposal of “Re-Assessing Korean Theatre for Honors with Distinction in Theatre, academic year through the creation of new Historiography: The Example of Jin Chaek discussed her role as the dramaturg for works, conference presentations, and creative Sohn’s Madangnori” was accepted for Much Ado About Nothing on WOSU NPR and research activities. presentation at the International Federation News and Classical Music (8.20 AM and for Theatre Research 2008 Conference 89.7 FM). Laura’s work as a dramaturg on Autumn in Seoul. Her paper addressed how the the department’s production was examined contemporary Korean theatre scholars in a special arts feature by Marilyn Smith, Congratulations to the following recipients schooled in European realist drama have host of the daily program. Laura was also of the College of the Arts Undergraduate overlooked the creativity and artistic value the dramaturg on Inspiration of Love written Research Scholarship: Allison Bressi with of reviving indigenous performing arts. The by B.A. student Akil Babb. A scene from Distinction in Theatre and Jennifer Harris. problematic fascination of Korean scholarly this play in development was presented in critics with western dramatic theories has February as part of The Writing Company’s Winter led to an overly limited criteria for evaluating presentation of samples of new work in theatre. Chon took Sohn’s madangnori, a progress in the New Works Lab. Several students received Central Ohio Theatre contemporary transformation of indigenous Awards in February: Korean culture, as an examplary sacrifice to In March, the 2008 New Works 688/800.08 class presented a selection of monologues, Acting, Sarah Katz (B.A. 2007) such an imbalanced scholarly practice. scenes, oral histories, interactive The Children’s Hour M.A. Student Jirye Lee’s paper proposal, conversations with self on film, short plays Acting, Julie Ann McMillan (M.F.A. Acting “The distance between two Vagina on the theme of Obsessions, and a martial Student) Mary Stuart Monologues” was also accepted for arts demo. Writers were Ph.D Students Paul presentation at the IFTR 2008 Conference in Lockwood and Kyounghye Kwon, B.A. Scenic Design, Matthew D. McCarren Seoul. Using the original Vagina Monologues Students Samantha Bowling, Allison (M.F.A. Design 2008) The Trojan Women 2.0 and the Korean adaptation, Jirye examined Bressi, Jacob Browning, Porsha Nicol, issues of women’s plays and gender traditions Jennifer Harris, Alex Lefeld, Kiley Scenic Design, Elinore Loomis (M.F.A. within the context of globalization and Morgan, Matt Owen, Lindsey Smith, Design Student) Mary Stuart integration of different cultures. The IFTR Matt Starr, Ian Stroud and Joel Weidl. 2008 conference aimed to examine, learn, (Samantha, Lindsey, Matt Starr, Ian and Jayson Morrison graduated in December and bring to discussion how different theatre Joel are members of the 8th Floor Comedy with his M.A. in Theatre. The title of Jayson’s traditions of East and West come to play for, Troupe). thesis is: Dying for Attention: ACT UP’s against, amongst each other to transform and Confrontational Image, Indeterminate re-create their respective new ones, ultimately Spring Performance Structure, and their Impact on in order to enrich and reinforce theatre as ‘Stop the Church’. He defended his thesis in an important cultural asset of the global The Ohio State University’s Advanced the summer and completed revisions in the fall. community. Computing Center for the Arts and Lesley Ferris was the chair of his committee Design (ACCAD) and the Department of and Alan Woods was the second member. Ph.D. Candidate Matthew Yde’s review Theatre presented an evening of recent was published in the December 2007 issue undergraduate and graduate student work B.A. Student Allison Bressi presented of Theatre Journal. Matt reviewed The Cone in film and animation in May. The screening the rock musical tick, tick...boom, the of Uncertainty: New Orleans After Katrina. of narrative and experimental shorts was autobiographical 1990 rock musical precursor Written, directed, and performed by Jose followed by a brief Q&A session with the to Rent by Jonathon Larson, in the New Works Torres Tama. The Ohio State University, Roy creators of the work. Lab in January in partial fulfillment of her Bowen Theatre, Columbus. 30 September Honors senior thesis project for Distinction in 2006. Theatre. Musicians from the School of Music provided live music. Allison was awarded The Writing Company 2008 presented a competitive College of the Arts Honors A Student’s Story in February in the New scholarship of $4,700 to support her senior Works Lab. Featured writers included B.A project. For the second part of this project, Students Akil Babb (with Laura Baggs), Allison wrote and produced her own comedy/ Jacob Browning, Jennifer Harris, Ph.D. farce in the spring. She then completed Student Paul Lockwood, B.A. Students Karen Bell presents a diploma to Katie Phillips (B.A. 2008.) an honors thesis comparing the directing Kiley Morgan, Mark Schwamberger and challenges in the two productions. Michael Toland.

12 encore 2008 Current Student Activity B.A. Student Laura Baggs was elected to Valeska Gert, Lotte Goslar, and Pola Nirenska. Updates by Area: Ohio State’s chapter of Phi Beta Kappa at the Lesley Ferris served as Karen’s advisor; her initiation and banquet in May. committee included Joy Reilly (Theatre) and B.A. Sheila Marion (Dance) and the Graduate B.A. Students Laura Baggs, Allison Bressi, School representative was Nina Berman The Department of Athletics recognized and Jennifer Harris competed at the (Comparative Studies). Karen moved to B.A. Theatre Students Joseph Orizczak, Denman Undergraduate Forum in May. This upstate New York this summer where she Cheerleading, Daniel Bass, Fencing and prestigious competition showcased the most accepted a new position as Assistant Professor Diana Care, Synchronized Swimming as impressive research each year submitted by of Theatre and Dance at SUNY-Potsdam. Scholar Athletes for achieving a GPA of 3.00 students and selected from every discipline at or better. Ohio State. Each student prepared a display Rebecca Kallemeyn (M.A. 2008) board of their work and were questioned by successfully defended her master’s thesis Nick Linkenhoker was selected as one of three different judges. In addition, students which examines how objectification and the students who will be studying in Ottawa as showed 7-minute performance excerpts of parody in British pantomime mirror the part of the Canadian Parliamentary Internship original creative work. Baggs had a display of insecurity of representation that was present Program. her work as Dramaturg on Much Ado About in Victorian society. Her committee members Nothing and on Inspiration of Love (by B.A. consisted of Beth Kattelman (chair) and Distinction in Theatre B.A. Student Jennifer Student Akil Babb). Bressi, who directed The Dorothy Noyes of the English Department. Harris, a member of The Writing Company, Clean House and Aida in the spring, presented for three years, wrote and performed in Its’s a directing project, including an excerpt from Greg Varner (M.A. 2008) directed The Upper Because You’re White!, a contemporary play her winter production of tick, tick....boom by Arlington Community of Theatre (UACT) about dating and racial relationships on a Jonathon Larson. Harris wrote and performed production of The Laramie Project in May at college campus. The play was directed by in an excerpt from her own play: It’s Because Upper Arlington High School and completed Writing Company member Michael Toland. You’re White: a play about Relationships in his thesis which documents his work on UACT. Besides Jennifer, also performing in the cast Black and White-- which completed a run in are John Houston, Mark Torrez, Jacob the New Works Lab in the spring. Ph.D. Candidate Jason Bush won the Patrick Browning, Kiley Morgan and Alex Lefeld. B. Mullen prize for the best graduate student This play is funny but is not afraid to tackle History, Literature and Criticism: paper in Folklore Studies at OSU. He also serious and complicated issues head-on. presented “Translating Danza de las Tijeras: Ph.D. Students Jason Bush, ChuYoung The Contemporary Transnational Scene” at Chon, Chris Matsos, Bethany (Banister) the OSU Center for Folklore Studies Spring Rainsberg, and Caehlin Bell (M.A. 2008) Colloquium “Urban Party Mix.” presented papers at the 32nd Comparative Drama Conference that took place at Loyola Ph.D. Student Ian Pugh’s paper “Police and Marymount University in Los Angeles in Surveillance at the Notting Hill Carnival in March. The Comparative Drama Conference London” was selected for presentation this is an international, interdisciplinary conference summer at the annual Centre for Research on founded in 1977. Every year, approximately Socio-Cultural Change (CRESC) conference in 150 scholars are invited to present and discuss Oxford, England. their work in the field of drama. The conference Jennifer Harris’s display at the Denman Undergraduate Research draws participants from both the Humanities Jenny Stoessner (Ph.D. 2008) successfully Forum for her play, It’s Because You’re White: a play about Rela- and the Arts. Over the past 31 years the passed her doctoral exam. Her dissertation, tionships in Black and White. participants have come from 31 nations and Building American Puppetry on the Jim all 50 states. The keynote speaker for 2008 Henson Foundation, examines the pioneering B.A. Students Barbie Papalios and was Canadian Indigenous playwright Drew work of puppeteer Jim Henson, the most Elizabeth Yerian were honored at President Hayden Taylor, who spoke on the development famous puppeteer in history, and the Gee’s salute to Undergraduate Excellence in of Native theatre in Canada. Foundation he established in 1982 to support April. They were two of approximately 200 the work of other puppetry artists. Jenny’s students honored. Karen Mozingo (Ph.D 2008) passed her committee included Dr. Beth Kattelman and dissertation defense with flying colors. The Alan Woods. Jenny is a professional puppeteer, title of her dissertation is Crossing the Borders very active performing and presenting at of German and American Modernism: Exile national conferences and festivals. She was and Transnationalism in the Dance Works of invited to the 2008 Association for Theatre in

encore 2008 13 Higher Education (ATHE) conference to make Design: two presentations: “Using Theatre to Address the Difficult Issues of Life” as well as serving as Greg Owen (M.F.A. 2008) accepted the the Puppeteer for “Performing New Works on Assistant Professor Technical Director/ Aging.” Designer job at the OSU Lima campus. He successfully defended his thesis/project for his Emily Layne Fargo (M.A. 2008) successfully lighting design of Much Ado About Nothing. defended her thesis, The Fantasy of Real Committee members included Mary Tarantino Women: New Burlesque & the Female (chair), Dan Gray, and Mandy Fox. Spectator. Members of her committee were Nena Couch (chair), Alan Woods, and Linda Crystal Herman (M.F.A. 2008) accepted a Mizejewski from the Department of Women’s Tenure Track Costume Design job at University Studies. of Texas El Paso and will be head milliner at Utah Festival Opera this summer. Caehlin Bell (M.A. 2008) successfully defended her master’s thesis Being Ireland: Crystal Herman and Lindsay Simon Laura Baggs’ display What Does a Dramaturg Do? at the Denman Undergraduate Research Forum. Lady Gregory in Cathleen Ni Houlihan. (M.F.A. 2008) completed their respective thesis Members of her committee were Joy Reilly productions. Lindsay’s thesis is titled Costume (chair) and Barry Shank from the Department Design and Production for The Trojan Women of Comparative Studies in Humanities. 2.0, by Charles Mee. Her committee members were: Kristine Kearney (chair), Mark Shanda Stepheni Wilkins Woods (M.A. 2008) and Maureen Ryan. Crystal’s thesis is titled successfully defended her masters thesis: Costume Design and Production for Much Ado American Dreams in Black and White: The About Nothing, by William Shakespeare. Her Quest for Freedom and Equality in American committee members were: Kristine Kearney Drama (1858-1938). Members of her (chair), Mary Tarantino and Mandy Fox. committee were Anthony D. Hill and Stratos Constantinidis. Matthew McCarren (M.F.A. 2008) successfully defended his thesis/project, Christopher M. Roche (Ph.D. Student) the lighting design for Working: A Musical. received critical acclaim for playing Michael in Committee members included Mary Tarantino the Pillowman at The Contemporary American (chair), Dan Gray, Mo Ryan and guest Chris Theatre Company (CATCO) in autumn 2007, Roche. for directing Working: A Musical for the department in spring 2008 and for playing Jordan Kardasz (M.F.A. 2008) successfully Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in the for/word defended her thesis/project for her lighting company’s hailed production of North for a design of Wild Stages: MFA Kabarett! three-week limited engagement run at the Committee members included Mary Tarantino Chicago American Theater Company in June (chair), Dan Gray, and John Giffin of the Jason Bush presents “Translating Danza de las Tijeras: The Department of Dance. Contemporary Transnational Scene” at the Urban Party Mix in the 2008. North, written and directed by Jennifer Roy Bowen Theatre. Schlueter (Ph.D. 2007) moves between 1939 and 1944 and tells the story of a charged meeting between author/writer Anne Morrow Lindbergh, wife to aviator Charles, and, the man whom she felt best understood her work.

Acting:

Kal Poole (M.F.A. Acting Student) played Charles Lindbergh in the for/word company production of North.

Sara Helgesen (B.A. 2008) (right) celebrates her graduation. Allison Bressi’s research for her directing projects, The Clean House and tick, tick...boom at the Denman Undergraduate Research Forum.

14 encore 2008 End of Year Celebration Awards

By Damian Bowerman, Graduate Studies and Publicity Coordinator and Eric Mayer, Undergraduate Studies Coordinator

Co-Sponsor and member of Alpha Psi performance in Working: A Musical. Several students were recognized for Omega Eric Mayer led the 2008-2009 Akil Babb in recognition of his their Theatre Roundtable Awards: Officers in the Oath of Office. The newly performance in Working: A Musical. Excellence in Acting to Sarah Katz (B.A. elected Alpha Psi Omega officers are: Student) The Children’s Hour President – Will Burress Lindsay Beery in recognition of her Vice President – Megan Corbin leadership in Working: A Musical. Excellence in Acting to Julie Ann Business Manager – Patrick Stengle. Matt Proctor in recognition of her McMillan (M.F.A. Acting Student) Mary Stuart Joy Reilly recognized the following performance in The Labyrinth of Desire. individuals with Undergraduate Student Shane Needham in recognition of his Excellence in Production for Scenic Excellence in recognition for distinction performance in The Labyrinth of Desire. Design to Matthew D. McCarren (M.F.A Design 2008) The Trojan Women 2.0 work in Theatre and for their participation Jessica Chinn in recognition of her in the Denman Undergraduate Research performance in Vendetta Chrome. Excellence in Production for Scenic Forum: Design to Elinore Loomis (M.F.A. Design Katie Dysard in recognition of her Student) Mary Stuart Allison Bressi (B.A. 2008) – “Directing design for Medea. Theatre: An Exploration of Stage Directing Excellence in Production for Costume in Two Different Forms,” Jennifer Harris Sarah Helgesen in recognition of her Design to Mary Yaw McMullen (M.F.A. (B.A. 2008) – “It’s Because You’re White: leadership in The Labyrinth of Desire. Design 2007) Mary Stuart A Distinction Project in Black White,” Elizabeth Yerian in recognition of her Lesley Ferris presented Graduate Student Laura Baggs (B.A. 2008) – “What Does performance in The Trojan Women 2.0. a Dramaturg Do?: Working as a Dramaturg Excellence Awards to the following on Two Very Different Productions and Lydia Fleck in recognition of her design students: Discovering the Dramaturg’s Importance for The Labyrinth of Desire. Caehlin Bell (M.A. 2008) nominated to Theatre.” Elizabeth Yerian (B.A. Doreen Salkiewicz in recognition of her by Joy Reilly, with Graduate Student 2008) was recognized for graduating performance in Much Ado About Nothing. Excellence in recognition for Teaching, with Honors in both Theatre and English Amani Davidson in recognition of his Research and Creative Activity. and outstanding commitment to the performance in Much Ado About Nothing. Jennifer Stoessner (Ph.D 2008) Department of Theatre as a performer, nominated by Joy Reilly, with Graduate organizer, and scholar. The department Student Excellence in recognition for honored Greg Varner (M.A. 2008) for Teaching, Research and Creative Activity. Outstanding Contribution and Service in recognition of his contributions and Emily Fargo (M.A. 2008) nominated dedication to the department. by Nena Couch and Beth Kattelman, with Graduate Student Excellence in Maureen Ryan recognized actors for the recognition for Service, Research and multitude of Theatre 310 and 610 scenes. Creative Activity. She recognized Bill Gordon (B.A. Student) for Outstanding Contribution and Service in Rebecca Kallemeyn (M.A. 2008) recognition of his performance, dedication, nominated by Nena Couch and Beth and support of the Department of Theatre Kattelman, with Graduate Student Directing Courses. Excellence in recognition for Service, Research and Creative Activity. Mo also presented Department of Theatre Jennifer Harris accepts her award from Mark Honors to the following B.A. Students for Shanda and Joy Reilly. Kiana Harris (M.F.A. Acting Student) Outstanding Contribution to the 2007-2008 nominated by Mo Ryan, with Graduate Adrianne Varwig in recognition of her Production Season: Student Excellence in recognition for design for Much Ado About Nothing and Teaching, Service and Creative Activity. Kyle Jepson in recognition of her Wild Stages: Kabarett MFA! performance in The Three Bully Goats Jordan Kardasz (M.F.A. Design Jennifer Kramer in recognition of her Griff and in recognition of her leadership 2008) nominated by Mary Tarantino, leadership in The Three Short Plays and and design assistance in Working: A with Graduate Student Excellence in Wild Stages: Kabarett MFA! Musical. recognition for Teaching, Service and Lauza Hum in recognition of her Creative Activity. Hartman Brawley in recognition of his leadership in Much Ado About Nothing. performance in The Three Bully Goats Jason Bush (Ph.D. Student) nominated Griff. Laura Baggs in recognition of her by Lesley Ferris, with Graduate Student dramaturgical work for Working: A Musical. Excellence in recognition for Research. Eric Slezak in recognition of his design and leadership for The Three Bully Goats Corey Balogh in recognition of his leadership Melanie House (Ph.D. Student) Griff and The Labyrinth of Desire. in the Labyrinth of Desire, Much Ado About nominated by Lesley Ferris, with Graduate Nothing and Working: A Musical! Student Excellence in recognition for Ashlee Mundy in recognition of her Teaching. performances in The Trojan Women 2.0 Marysha Sarris in recognition of her and Working: A Musical. design and construction work for The Bethany Banister (Ph.D. Student) Three Bully Goats Griff and the 07-08 nominated by Stratos Constantinidis Meredith Lark in recognition of her OSU Theatre Season. with Graduate Student Excellence in performance in Working: A Musical. recognition for Research. Diana Bae in recognition of her

encore 2008 15 End of Year Celebration Awards Rebecca Hitt, Laura Hum, Julia Hypes, Laura Jack, Max Koknar, Jennifer Kramer, Janet Parrott presented awards for Melissa Lee (Ph.D. Student) Roni Leake, Alexander Mack, Mark Schwamberger, Bethany Small, Jonathan Outstanding Contributions in the area of Barbie Papalios (B.A. Student) Thimdit, Liz Tufts, Adrianne Varwig, Video Production honoring the following Ian Pugh (Ph.D. Student) B.A. Students in recognition of their Donald Wahlenmaier, Michaela Willford, Outstanding Dedication to Media Arts: Marysha Sarris (B.A. Student) Angela Wilson, Elizabeth Yerian. Rasean Davonte Johnson Laura Spires (B.A. Student) Undergraduate Scholarship Recipients. Aaron Kunkel Anthony Hill recognized the following The Gerald R. Black Scholarship Fund for Undergraduate Graduates Recognition of Excellence in Theatre was Ruth Lang established in 1974 in memory of Gerald R. Summer Quarter 2007 Craig Pentak Black, a 1924 graduate of The Ohio State Miranda Crowe, Ryan Hemsoth, University. The scholarship is intended Steve Tsentserensky Nolan Martin, Drew Raitch, for undergraduate students within the Rachel Barnes recognized the following Michaeline Sexton. Department of Theatre interested in the area students for their Outstanding Contribution Autumn Quarter 2007 of playwrighting. Recipients: in the Box Office: Michael Eberst, Ryan Harvey, Sarah Jessica Biggert, Samantha Bowling, Lindsay Beery (B.A. Student) for Katz, Kelly McKanna, Jeanine Meyer, Kathryn Burkhart, Cory Clawson, Liam Outstanding Contribution and Service Katharine Phillips, Elizabeth Shay. Cronin, Jaclyn Ferguson, Margaret Glaser, in recognition of her performance and Winter Quarter 2008 William Gordon, Caitlin Headley, Angela leadership in the OSU Theatre Box Office. Henderson, Peyton Noland, Barbara Reginald Harper, Sarah Helgesen, Papalios, Robert Pond, Marysha Sarris, Laura Hum (B.A. Student) for Brandon Massay, Eric Slezak, Jessica Studer, Taylor Tackett, Meagan Outstanding Contribution and Service Nicholas Trouw. in recognition of her performance and Winkelman. Spring Quarter 2008 leadership in the OSU Theatre Box Office. The Michael Swink Fund for Talent in Mark Shanda presented the Chair’s Award Katarina Aubrecht, Jessica Chinn, Billy Theatre Technology was established in 1980 for Academic Achievement honoring the Earnhart, Lydia Fleck, Stephanie Hill, in memory of Michael Swink, B.A. 1975, and following graduate students with the Chair’s Award for Academic Achievement for maintaining a 4.0 cumulative grade point average: Melissa Lee (Ph.D. Student) Christopher Matsos (Ph.D. Student) Karen Mozingo (Ph.D. 2008) Ian Pugh (Ph.D. Student) Matthew Yde (Ph.D. Student) Mark Shanda also recognized the following undergraduate students with the Chair’s Award for Academic Achievement for maintaining a 3.85 or higher cumulative grade point average. Erin Asselta, Andi Barnett, Jessica Maureen Ryan (far right) presents honors to students for their Outstanding Contribution to Biggert, Katherine Bowman, Cory Beth Kattelman, Emily Fargo, Nena Couch and Lesley the 2007-2008 Production Season. Clawson, Andrew Copenhaver, Liam Ferris at Emily’s award presentation. Cronin, Adam Davidson, Kathryn Dysard, Angela Henderson, Meredith Lark, Barbara Papalios, Mark Schwamberger, John Sorenson, Laura Spires Lesley Ferris recognized the following individuals who were awarded international travel funding from the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences, the College of the Arts, and/ or the Department of Theatre: Jason Bush receives an award from Lesley Ferris. Melissa Lee, Chris Matsos, Ian Pugh, and Matthew Yde Raymond Caldwell (M.F.A. Acting celebrate their awards from Mark Shanda. Student) Liam Cronin (B.A. Student) Kathryn Dysard (B.A. Student) Angela Henderson (B.A. Student) Anna Hoptry (B.A. Student) Kayla Jackmon (B.A. Student) Kyle Jepson (B.A. Student) Jessie Biggert celebrates Lesley Ferris and Mark Katarina Albrecht receives Jessica Studer receives her her award from Mark Shanda present an award an award from Anthony award from Mark Shanda. Shanda. to Marysha Sarris. Hill.

16 encore 2008 provides funding for undergraduate students who have demonstrated exceptional talent and ability in theatre in the area of design and technology. Recipients: Kathryn Burkhart, Brandon Curtis, Kathryn Dysard, Caitlin Headley. The Robert Eugene Johnson Memorial Scholarship was established in 1983 with Greg Varner thanks Mark Shanda and Joy Reilly for the recognition. Caehlin Bell accepts her award from Mark Shanda and Lesley Ferris. gifts from the estate of Robert Eugene Johnson, M.A. 1950, to provide one or more scholarships for Junior and/or Senior students who are majoring in Theatre and are maintaining at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average. Recipients: Jessica Biggert, Cory Clawson, William Gordon, Peyton Noland, Jessica Studer.

The Roy and Addeleen Bowen Fund Mark Shanda presents an award to Laura Baggs. Beth Kattelman, Rebecca Kallemeyn, Nena Couch and for Exceptional Talent in Theatre was Lesley Ferris at Rebecca’s award presentation. established in 1978 to honor Dr. Roy H. Bowen, Professor Emeritus of Theatre. The scholarship supports undergraduate students who have demonstrated Reports exceptional talent in theatre. Recipients: Brandon Curtis, Kathryn Dysard, Jaclyn Ferguson, William Gordon, Angela OSU Newark Henderson, Marysha Sarris. By Dave Williams, Associate Professor The Scarlet Mask Award was established in 1973 by members of the Scarlet Mask The 2007-08 theatre season at OSU-Newark got off to a somewhat Society to recognize distinction and outstanding performance. Recipient: rocky start. After several rehearsals and the beginning of set construction, it became necessary to cancel the autumn production, Liam Cronin which was to have been Long Day’s Journey Into Night. Perhaps Awarded annually in memory of Steven another time. Vrba, Assistant Professor of Theatre, 1982- January 1984, this cash award is to be given to an upper division theatre major who has The winter production fared demonstrated high academic achievement much better. After two years of and outstanding abilities in Theatre negotiations, the director was Technology during the year. Recipient: finally able to present Too Much Brandon Curtis Light Makes the Baby Go Blind. This show, currently in long runs in both New York and Chicago, consists of 30 plays every night performed in 60 minutes in a random order suggested by the audience. Its high energy and presentational style proved a hit with audiences and plans are Mark Shanda and Joy Reilly con- under way to reprise the evening gratulate Jennifer Stoessner for her award. A scene from OSU Newark’s production of Too the year after next with 30 Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind. completely different plays and a new cast.

The spring production was Christopher Durang’s Baby With the Bathwater. To compensate for the relative bareness of the set required for the winter show, the set for this play was the most complex the director has ever designed or built. The architecture of the main unit is inspired by Dr. Seuss, and it was complemented by periaktoi, a Mark Shanda presents an Pollock-type backdrop, and a large cartoon sun that flies in. The cast award to Bill Gordon. was as strong as the writing and received a good audience response.

encore 2008 17 Reports (continued) OSU Mansfield By Joseph Fahey, Assistant Professor

This was a wonderful year for college theatre in Mansfield. We opened OSU Lima our season with Shakespeare’s delightful comedy Twelfth Night. For the opening night of this production we were joined by the Arts and By Joe Brandesky, Professor Lectures 2007 Distinguished Diversity Lecturer David Halperin. On stage, alongside the show’s cast and director, Professor Halperin The Lima campus theatre shared a post-show reflection on classical images of love present in program generated three Shakespeare’s play. productions in the 2007-2008 academic year. Maria Ignatieva For its second weekend, we loaded our set on a truck and moved directed and wrote The Swan Twelfth Night downtown to the Mansfield Playhouse. For three shows Lake (the original story for we brought Shakespeare back to this storied community theatre the famous ballet) for our after an absence of many years. Our students and the Playhouse’s Theatre for Young Audiences staff enjoyed a lively collaboration, and, thanks to Designer Richard performances during autumn Keith’s inventiveness, our set even found its way into the Playhouse’s 2007. Christina Ritter directed Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz A scene from OSU Lima’s production of production of A Christmas Carol two weeks later. The Swan Lake. and Guildenstern are Dead In February we presented during winter 2008. Joe a Winter Shorts Festival of Brandesky directed the spring 2008 production of Fiddler on the Roof, plays, again in Downtown our first musical in seventeen years. Brad Steinmetz designed sets Mansfield, this time at the and Loo Brandesky designed costumes for all productions this last Richland Academy. The year. Next year we will welcome our new designer, Greg Owen as intimate setting of their Assistant Professor of Theatre, Melanie House as Lecturer and Doug performance hall allowed Raver as Assistant Technical Director to our department. us to offer plays by Harold Pinter, Samuel Beckett, and Three students who played active roles in our theatre program were other contemporary theatre recognized with spring 2008 academic awards at OSU Lima. Lena artists in a cabaret setting. Plescher was given the Arts Divisional Award (sponsored by the Twelfth Night, autumn 2007 (L to R: Katy Music, Art and Theatre faculties) while Theatre Departmental awards This mix of edgy shows and Esmont, Scott Schagg, Tabitha Rymal, short modern masterpieces Billy Haynes) went to Stephanie Seaman and Ashley Dillen. Joe Brandesky was wouldn’t appear on most of awarded the OSU Lima Outstanding Scholar Award during the the stages of Mansfield. They raised a few eyebrows, and brought academic awards ceremony. out some new audiences. They also enriched the programming on campus and at the Academy, and provided many commendations Next year’s season in Lima will include The Red Fox and the Firebird, a from a surprising mix of our patrons. new play for young audiences written and directed by Joe Brandesky, autumn 2008, an arena production of The Laramie Project directed For our final show of the season, former OSUM Theatre Director by former OSU Lima student Kimberly Barrett coupled with a studio Larry Evans returned as J.B. Biggley in the Tony Award-winning course in the Michael Chekhov Acting Method, winter 2009, and the musical comedy How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, directed Audiences delighted in seeing Larry on stage again, our students (and by Joe Brandesky, spring 09. All set designs will be by Greg Owen and their director) learned a thing or two about musical theatre, and many all costumes provided by Loo Brandesky during the coming year. of our patrons were able to reacquaint themselves with a dear friend after a three year absence.

Acting for the Camera By Diana Bae (B.A. Student)

In my Ohio State college experience, I felt that I had the “do’s and don’ts” of auditioning for Film/TV, learned many useful tools and techniques to apply taught us the basic technical jargon that we should towards stage performance, but film acting was be familiar with, the nuances of different camera the one area in which I was lacking knowledge. shots and how to act accordingly, and the major So naturally, as a senior undergraduate student differences between Stage and Film/TV acting. We in the theatre department, I was very excited to worked with scenes from both movies and daytime hear that Jimmy Bohr was offering an Acting for television, which was effective in our learning the Camera class in my last quarter here at OSU. In different acting styles needed for different genres. the short period of ten weeks, Jimmy managed to The Acting for Camera class has been an invaluable cover the most crucial elements of Film/TV acting, experience that I feel has been one of the most while still giving each student the individual and beneficial and applicable towards shaping my craft. useful guidance needed to help hone our skills. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked He focused primarily on those facets of camera with a professor like Jimmy, who is so genuinely acting that we as young actors would truly be interested in helping his students to grow as actors. able to utilize in “the real world.” He discussed Diana Bae (far left) in a scene from 18 encore 2008 OSU Theatre’s production of Working: A Musical. Faculty and Staff (continued) Jimmy Bohr Joe Brandesky Assistant Professor Professor Much Ado About Nothing. Acting and Directing OSU Lima campus • Is serving as a member of the International • Directed Pangea by • Editor for Twentieth Theatre Exchange, of the USA Committee Steven Culp, a staged Century Czech Stage for UNESCO. reading for the Science Design: Metaphor • Continues to serve on the board of the on Stage Festival, The and Irony Revisited Dance Heritage Coalition Magic Theatre, San Iowa City: University Francisco, September of Iowa Press, 2007. Nicholas Dekker 2007. • Produced Swan Lake at OSU Lima in the Lecturer • Directed Awake in the Dark by Shira autumn. Theatre 100 Administrator Nayman, Lincoln Center Institute, New York • Reviewed Radio City, October 2007. Stratos Constantinidis Macbeth, Created by • Directed Octopus by Steve Yockey, a Professor SITI Company, Directed workshop for the New Voiced West History, Literature and Criticism by Anne Bogart. The Festival, The Magic Theatre, San Francisco, • Gave a talk on the golden age of Greek Wexner Center for December 2007. cinema at the Barker Humanities Center the Arts, Performance • Directed Stones in His Pockets by Marie at Harvard, a second talk at Yale on Greek Space, Columbus, OH, February 2007, Jones, Carrickmacross Productions, Madlab film, the Truman Doctrine and the Military published in the December 2007 issue of Theatre, Columbus, June 2008. Dictatorship of 1967, and chaired a panel on Theatre Journal. visions and revisions in drama at the 31st • Nick and Beth welcomed William Isaac Damian Bowerman Comparative Drama Conference. Dekker into the world on July 3, 2008, at Graduate Studies and • Published two volumes in 2007: Text & 7:48 p.m. He weighed in at 9 lbs. 13 oz. and Publicity Coordinator Presentation, 2006: The Comparative measured 20.5 inches. • Played “Donnie” in Drama Conference Series and Modern the The Foursome at Greek Theatre, a special issue of the Journal Joseph Fahey The Contemporary of Modern Greek Studies. Assistant Professor American Theatre • Served as consultant for the Ohio OSU Mansfield Campus Company (CATCO) Department of Education Licensure • Published Book Reviews of Remaking in June 2008. Of his Programs, Standards and Submissions as American Theatre: Charles Mee, Anne performance Michael Grossberg of the a member of the Writing Team for Drama/ Bogart and the SITI Company by Scott T. Columbus Dispatch said, “As golf neophyte Theatre. Cummings in Theatre Journal (May 2008) Donnie, Damian Bowerman might have and Samuel Beckett’s Plays on Film and the funniest but least complex role. Yet his Nena Couch Television by Graley Herren in Theatre easygoing, emotionally centered approach Professor Survey (forthcoming). to the happily married father of five makes Curator, The Jerome • Conducted the workshop “Less Think, the character engaging and welcome.” Lawrence and Robert E. More Move: Approaching Character • Presented his process for creating a Lee Theatre Research from the Outside-In,” for the Ohio Theatre character and scoring a script to the CATCO Institute Alliance North Central Regional Auditions Board of Trustees at a board meeting, June • Co-edited and and Workshops in New Concord, Ohio, in 2008. contributed essays to February 2008. • Performed his one man show John D. Documenting: Lighting • Developed collaborations with The Rockefeller: Divine Philanthropist or Cold- Design published by Mansfield Playhouse for the Autumn Blooded Oil Tycoon for The Ohio Humanities the Theatre Library Association. 2007 production of Twelfth Night and The Council Speaker’s Bureau at the Ohio • Published two articles highlighting the Richland Academy for the Winter 2008 Historical Society’s Conestoga Conference wonderful Curtiss Show Print Collection production of The Winter Shorts Festival in Columbus, January 2008, the Allen donated to the Lawrence and Lee Theatre County Museum, January 2008, the Dublin Research Institute by Nyle Stateler: “The Lesley Ferris Community Recreation Center, April 2008 American Show Printer: Curtiss Show Print Professor and the Mount Vernon Chautauqua series in and Hatch Show Print” in Theatre Survey History, Literature and August 2008. and “Collection Profile and Overview” in Criticism Celebrating Research: Rare and Special • Co-curator of Midnight Collections from the Membership of the Robbers: The Artists of Association of Research Libraries. Notting Hill Carnival, “One of the best events in theatre: • Presented “Dance in Eighteenth-Century City Hall, London. The Trojan Women 2.0” Spain” at the American Society for Funded by Arts Council England and the Mayor of London. - The Columbus Dispatch 2007 Year in Review. Eighteenth-Century Studies Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon in March. September 26-October 30, 2007. • Did choreography for OSU’s production of • Co-editor of the 48 page catalogue for the exhibition: Midnight Robbers: The Artists of Notting Hill Carnival

encore 2008 19 Faculty and Staff continued

• Published “Daily Life 1: Kitchen Show”, in attendance and notes at select rehearsals • Attended The National Black Theatre Bobby Baker: Redeeming Features of Daily with combined hearing and hearing- Network Conference and National Black Life, editors Michele Barrett and Bobby impaired cast. Theatre Festival in Winston Salem, North Baker • Project Leader, Head-writer and Vocal Carolina as well as a conference on August Coach for You are Here, Red Herring Theatre Wilson at The University of Maryland. Dave Fisher Ensemble, Club Diversity, summer 2007. Lecturer and Buckeye TV • Vocal Coach for The Trojan Women 2.0, Maria Ignatieva Coordinator Ohio State University, autumn. Associate Professor • Oversaw production • Associate Editor, International Dialects of OSU Lima Campus of Buckeye TV with English Archive. • Completed the manuscript Stanislavsky and approximately 60-70 • Regional Editor, VASTA. Female Actors, which has been accepted students per quarter. by the University Press of America, to be The 2007-2008 year Dan Gray published in November 2008. saw continued growth Associate Professor • Represents Lima Campus and the College of in both enrollment and amount of new Design and Technology the Arts on the OSU Presidential Council on television programming endeavors. • Designed the set Women (2007-2010). • Student influences helped “The Buckeye 19 for the production News” and shows such as “Jackpot Trivia of The Secret Beth Kattelman Bowl” and “Try Your Luck” continue towards Garden produced in Assistant Curator, its goals of creating an open and diverse collaboration with Theatre Research student media outlet. CAPA, The Phoenix Institute • Buckeye TV broadcast a special edition Theatre Circle and Opera Columbus at The Assistant Professor, OSU of “Backtalk Live” with special guest Dr. Shubert Theatre, New Haven, CT and The Libraries Gordon Gee. In addition, OSU students Southern Theatre, Columbus, OH. • Developed a class competed in song and dance for the grand • Designed the set for productions of The on “Horror Films and prize on the show “OSU Talent Search.” Piano Lesson and The Pillowman at CATCO Culture” as part of the • “The Campus Report” offered a humorous in Columbus, OH. Colleges of the Arts and Sciences Freshman look at news and current events while • Scenic design for the world premiere of Seminar program. hosting guests such as Sen. John Glenn, WHODUNIT? At Ballet Met Columbus. • Directed Christopher Durang’s one-act Archie Griffin, and Miss Ohio’s Roberta • Adjudicated the KC/ACTF Region IV design version of Medea for OSU’s evening of Camp. Exhibit in Clemson, SC. Three Short Plays, November 2007. • Directed over 150 hours of live television • Exhibition design of the national tour of • Attended the Popular Culture Association/ and created over a dozen TV commercials Russel Wright: Better Living Through Design American Culture Association National in the past year, and tried to keep up with exhibit through spring 2008. This exhibit, Conference in San Francisco where she the rapid changes in the broadcast industry which opened at the Ohio Decorative Arts delivered a paper on “The Horror Film by attending the National Association of Center in May, ‘06, received strong reviews as Cautionary Tale” and was also asked Broadcasters National Convention. from national publications such as Antiques to serve on a special panel discussing • Taught Theatre 634 Video Production each & Auction News and Maine Antique responses to hate speech both in the quarter. Digest as well as The Columbus Dispatch, classroom and beyond. Cincinnati Enquirer, and Columbus Alive. • Published book reviews in Theatre Journal, Mandy Fox The Journal of Popular Culture, and Theatre Assistant Professor Anthony Hill Survey and also contributed several entries Acting and Directing Associate Professor to encyclopedias. • Performed the role of History, Literature and • Completed a Special Research Assignment Sister Aloycius in Doubt Criticism that took her to the American Museum at the Contemporary • Working on his book of Magic (Marshall, Michigan) to conduct American Theatre Historical Dictionary research on the theatrical aspects of the Company (CATCO). on African American nineteenth century Spiritualist movement, Received Best Actress Theatre. summer 2007. One resultant article from award for her performance from the Central • Professor Quintard this trip appeared in an issue of Theatre Ohio Theatre Critics Circle. Taylor of The University of Washington, Survey. Beth was the first recipient of the • Directed Much Ado About Nothing for OSU included four of his theatre profiles on his Barbara Van Brimmer Award, given by the Theatre, winter 2008. World Wide Website Black Past.org (The University Libraries in partial support of this • Served as Vocal Coach for The Phoenix Black Past, Remembered and Reclaimed project. Theatre Ensemble and CAPA’s production of History: an Online Reference Guide to • Submitted proposal for a Pilot project in Secret Garden, autumn. Collection, analysis, African American History.) Second Life which was one of five chosen and coaching of the Yorkshire, Received • Served as an adjudicator for the Young by Ohio State’s Technology Enhanced Pronunciation, and Scottish dialects, Scholars Contest and facilitated the Black Learning and Research office for a test run. Pioneer Award at the National Black Theatre Beth will use Second Life to aid students Network conference. understanding of the design and adaptation of performance spaces. 20 encore 2008 Kristine Kearney (New Haven, CT) and closed at the Southern depicting the issues of faithism on campus.) Assistant Professor Theatre (Columbus, OH). • Performed the Mother in CATCO’s Design and Technology • Served as the Stage Manager for the production of The Pillowman, by Martin • Costume Design for Columbus Youth Ballet’s Nutcracker (his McDonagh. professional production eighth year working on this production). • Attended Augusto Boal’s three day of Fair and Tender workshop on Theatre of the Oppressed. Ladies produced by Janet Parrot • Attended NCBI (National Coalition Building Alabama Shakespeare Assistant Professor Institute) three day workshop and received Festival, July, 2007. Design and Technology certificate of membership. • Costume Design for professional production • Presented a video of Doubt produced by Contemporary short at the Foundation Joy Reilly American Theatre Company, April, 2008. for Hospices in Associate Professor • Received the Peggy Ezekiel award of Sub-Saharan Africa History, Literature and Outstanding Achievement for her costume (FHSSA), Archbishop Criticism designs for Hair at the United States Tutu Leads Celebratory • Invited to perform at Institute for Theatre Technology Ohio Valley National Launch of Diana Legacy Fund. the Wexner Center Conference held in Wilmington, OH. Her • Producing and directing the video with Howling at the designs were selected for this recognition documentary Women’s Work. It’s in the Moon’s Writing Our out of a pool of twenty-six entries. The post-production phase. This documentary Lives: The Exquisite Art Peggy Ezekiel Award is presented annually is about a group of remarkable American of Aging. to recognize outstanding achievement in women who went to South Africa and • Howling at the Moon has been contacted Design and Technology. had meaningful conversations with South by two of the largest corporations in African hospice nurses and caregivers. the country that run living and learning Kaizaad Kotwal • Video collaboration with the Department of retirement centers --- the Erickson, which Lecturer Theatre design, acting and video students is building a campus in Hilliard, and the Marion Campus in the creation, advising and production of a Eden Alternative. This southem-based • Awarded the Griffin Society Teaching video short titled The Beyonder. organization invited them to perform at their Award, which recognizes superior international conference held in Columbus undergraduate teaching by a senior lecturer, Robin Post in June. lecturer, instructor, or teaching associate Lecturer • Retirement Living TV cable channel of at Ohio State Marion. The award was InterACT Facilitator and Baltimore, Md. created a 10 minute feature presented at the 37th Annual Ohio State Director about Howling at the Moon at the Wexner Marion Academic Recognition Program in • Continued Center. May. development of the • Continued to create new scripts with InterACT program, now Howling at the Moon, performed and Valerie Lucas two years running and taught workshops, seminars, and classes at Assistant Professor beginning its third. such state events as the Ohio Association Acting and Directing • Wrote adaptation and directed staged of Gerontology and Education, and the • Designed for a new reading of novel, What is The What? Senior Theatre USA national association in play, De Botty Business, (Depicting the survival and journey of a Baltimore. by Benjamin Zephaniah Sudanese Lost Boy.) • Presented her research at ATHE 2007 in at the Hackney Empire. • Producer and Director of the performance New Orleans. Views of War at WOSU/COSI (A • Received a “Harold” Award from the Central Eric H. Mayer collaboration with several WWII veterans Ohio Theatre Roundtable for her prolific Undergraduate Studies and the students of InterACT.) career, including her work with the Senior Coordinator • Producer and Director of Shared Stories, Theatre movement. • Began his part-time Separate Journey (A cancer survivorship pursuit of a Master of performance in collaboration with Maureen Ryan Fine Arts in Stage and JamesCare For Life and the students of Assistant Professor Theatre Management InterACT.) Acting and Directing at OSU. • InterACT performed a piece about ethical • Producing Artistic • Served as the behavior for both faculty and students at the Director, Red Herring Production Stage Manager for CAPA’s First Year Experience Conference. Theatre Ensemble, presentation of the musical adaptation of • InterACT performed I’m scared of that Columbus, OH, July The Secret Garden, performed by deaf student, please remove him from my class 2001 - Present. Red and hearing actors in both English and (a scene depicting instructors that fear Herring’s mission is to produce innovative American Sign Language. The production seemingly disruptive and unruly students) and thought-provoking theatre in an opened in the historical Shubert Theatre and Why is religion so Scary? (A scene intimate theatre setting, and to provide

encore 2007 21 Faculty and Staff

employment and career development Jeanine Thompson Methodist Church here in Columbus, both opportunities for local theatre artists. Associate Professor in May. Who’s Herbert? was produced • Co-Director with Jeanine Thompson, Acting and Directing by the Spokane Civic Theatre, Spokane, The Trojan Women 2.0, The Ohio State • Nationally Recognized Washington, also in May, and will be University, autumn 2007. Master Teacher: Only presented at the Senior Theatre Festival • Director/Creator, Ellington Nutcracker, Red dance and theatre artist in Baltimore this month; Limbo, Ohio is Herring Theatre Ensemble in partnership invited to participate also being presented at the Senior Theatre with Columbus Association for the on the Math and Festival. As a side note, all the plays are Performing Arts (CAPA), November 2006 the Arts Curriculum available online (which is how a couple - Present. In conjunction with Jonathan Development Program (MAPS) for the of these groups found them) at http:// Tazewell, Red Herring Associate Artistic National Institute for Education and the Arts playsbyalanwoods.blogspot.com. Director, she will be developing a dance located in Washington DC. • Organized readings of Limbo Plays at theatre piece based on Duke Ellington’s jazz • Director and Choreographer: The Trojan Gallery 202 in Westerville, Ohio, the version of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. The Women 2.0 voted to be one of “The Best Department of Theatre, Cleveland piece is to be staged annually in December Shows of the Year” by the Central Ohio State University, Elizabethtown College at the newly renovated Lincoln Theatre in Theatre Critics Association. (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), and Ohio Columbus, OH which will open in April of • Authored “Remembrances of Marcel Dominican University in Columbus. Ten- 2009. Marceau” published by Michael Grossberg minute plays on the topic of limbo were • Promoted to Associate Professor with in the Columbus Dispatch’s Blog, a regional submitted by writers from the United tenure commencing the 2008-2009 site with international access, October States, Canada, Scotland, England, and academic year. 2007. Australia, and were given free staged readings. More information about the Mark Shanda David Williams Limbo Play Project is available at http:// Chair and Professor Associate Professor limboplays.blogspot.com. Design and Technology OSU Newark Campus • Submitted proposal for a pilot project in • Appointed by the • Directed and performed in poetry reading of Second Life which was one of five chosen Hong Kong Council Richard Wilbur’s works. by Ohio State’s Technology Enhanced for Accreditation • Directed, designed, built, lit, and performed Learning and Research office for a test run. of Academic in 30 Neo-Futurist plays in 60 minutes, Too Alan will use Second Life to aid students and Vocational Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind. understanding of cultural and structural Qualifications as a • Directed and performed in poetry reading of impacts on performance spaces. Sector/Subject Specialist for a three-year the works of Edna St. Vincent Millay. period until June 30, 2011. • Directed, designed, built, and lit Christopher Jan Woods • Served as External Program Reviewer for Durang’s Baby With the Bathwater. Costume Studio Supervisor Iowa State University, Ames, IA. • Directed and performed in reading of the • Designed the costumes for Woman In • Wrote three tenure reviews for Assistant found poetry of Phil Rizzuto, O Holy Cow. Black for Whistling in the Dark Theatre, to Associate candidates from other the cooperative project that M.F.A. Acting universities. Alan Woods Students Dwayne Blackaller, Kal Poole and Professor Scott Wilson did with Upper Arlington High Mary Tarantino History, Literature and School last fall. Associate Professor Criticism Design and Technology • Organized and Chris Zinkon • Lighting Designer hosted the Eileen Assistant Technical for The Pillowman, Heckart Playwriting Director Contemporary Competition and the • Served as Production American Theatre Playwrights retreat Technical Director Company, Studio One both of which solidified for OSU Theatre’s Theatre, Columbus, Ohio, September 2007. a growing reputation for Ohio State as a productions of The • Lighting Designer for The Secret Garden, place that celebrates playwrights. Trojan Women 2.0, CAPA/Phoenix Theatre/Opera Columbus • Helping to develop and reinforce the Much Ado About co-production, performed at The Shubert focus of Beyond the Borscht Belt, the new Nothing and Wild Stages: Kabarett MFA! Theatre, New Haven, CT, and at the Columbus Jewish Arts Festival. • Designed sound for OSU Theatre’s Southern Theatre, OH, November 2007. • Several of Alan Woods plays were produced production of Working: A Musical. • Published an article in the Theatre Library this year. The Danish was produced by the • Specified and installed a new loudspeaker Association entitled “Beyond the Produced Heritage Theatre Company as part of the system in Thurber Theatre. Design: Teaching Lighting Design Through “Family Foibles” Festival in Bend, Oregon, • Designed sound and scenery automation Archival Research.” and by the Maple Grove Players as part systems for Pickerington High School North of the “Dessert Plays” at the Maple Grove Theatre’s productions of A Christmas Story and High School Musical.

22 encore 2008 Michael Weferling (B.F.A. 1976) The production, directed by Don Eitner, is Researched and compiled by Michael has worked as a sound engineer a new play starring Mariette Hartley. Damian Bowerman, Graduate Studies for the Broadway musicals A Chorus and Publicity Coordinator Line, Grand Hotel, Teddy and Alice, Crazy Dana Rowe (B.A. 1989) for You, and many others. He was in The Japanese production of Dana Rowe 1950’s Columbus in July 2007 with the National and John Dempsey's lavish musical Company’s touring production of Wicked. The Witches of Eastwick played at the Frank Rutledge (B.A. 1956, M.A. 1958) Imperial Theatre in Tokyo. The Cameron Michigan State University Emeritus 1980’s Mackintosh production also played in Professor of Theatre History/Directing London. and co-founder of MSU’s Summer Circle Helen Fashbaugh (M.F.A. 1982) Theatre Frank Rutledge died on February Helen teaches high school English and Rob Roznowski (M.F.A. 1989) 19, 2008. He was 72. “For close to 50 Drama and is directing plays in Bessemer, Rob is currently the Head of Acting years Frank Rutledge instilled a deep MI. She has four grown kids and a at Michigan State University. He appreciation for the performing arts grandson. She does much work with two came to Michigan State University in the lives of MSU students, many of theatres in the area. One is a restored directly from New York City where he whom went on to successful careers old 1920's once-a-movie palace that served as the National Outreach and around the country, both in professional imports entertainment and the other is Education Coordinator for Actors' Equity theater and in academia,” said George a wonderful community theatre space Association. Peters, chairperson of the Department of called Theatre North. She frequently Theatre. “Frank Rutledge not only taught directs, holds workshops for all ages, and As an actor, Rob has appeared at the theater history, he made it.” Memorial acts occasionally. She spent three years Long Wharf Theatre, the Goodspeed contributions may be sent to the MSU as a member of a local improv comedy Opera House and the Pittsburgh Department of Theatre or the Michigan troupe. Helen’s husband Jack is a lay Public Theatre as well as numerous Nature Conservancy. minister for two Presbyterian churches in off-Broadway productions. He was an the area, adjunct professor for Northland original cast member of the New York M. Glen Wilson (Ph.D. 1957) College (Ashland, WI) and seminary and Los Angeles productions of the Macalester College Emeritus Professor student working toward ordination. long-running musical I Love You, You're of Speech and Dramatic Arts M. Glen Perfect, Now Change and can be heard Wilson died in January of 2006. Jeff Fiske (Ph.D. 1988) on the recording of that show. Jeff’s adaptation of C.S. Lewis' The 1960’s Screwtape Letters moved from Off- Ken Sonkin (B.F.A. 1982) Off Broadway to Off Broadway. It was Ken is on the faculty at The University of Stephen Conrad (B.A. 1969) performed in The Theatre at Saint San Francisco where he teaches acting, Stephen retired from the United States Clement's. a professionalism seminar, oversees Army as a Colonel in 1999 after almost the USF Cabaret program, and is the 29 years of service. He has worked for Deborah Jordan (M.F.A. 1989) faculty advisor for The College Players. non profits since 1999 and received Deborah is Associate Professor of This spring, he will be directing Mary an award at the White House Annex Theatre, Program Head, Acting & Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses. He has for his Fund Raising success for the Directing at the Department of Theatre been acting and directing for the past 25 2003 Combined Federal Campaign in and Dance at Jacksonville University years with such companies as American Northeast Florida. From 1965-1969 he (www.ju.edu). She has received tenure. Conservatory Theater, Berkeley Rep, The attended OSU on the University Musical Jacksonville University opened a newly Magic Theater, Sonoma Rep (Associate Productions Scholarship awarded by the renovated theatre space--a 400 seat Artist), Center Rep, Marin Shakespeare late Dr. Roy Bowen. He had major roles state-of-the-art proscenium theatre. Festival, The Grove Shakespeare Festival, in: Mr. Roberts, Wonderful Town, Finnians The Monterey Shakespeare Company, Rainbow, Our Town, Romeo and Juliet, Lisa Molyneux (M.F.A. 1987) Pacific Alliance Stage Company, The and How to Succeed in Business. He Lisa was featured in the April 2008 issue B Street Theatre, Alternative Theater has dabbled in theatre after retiring from of Dramatics magazine in the article, “The Ensemble (Founding Member), San the military and played Huckelbee in The Scenic Artist: Painting a Sense of Place,” Jose Stage Company, Pennsylvania Fantastics at a Dinner Theater in Georgia. by Mike Lawler. Lisa completed her 17th Centre Stage and The Denver Center season with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Theatre Company. He trained at The 1970’s Park as a scenic artist. She is a member National Theater Conservatory in Denver of IATSE. and is also a graduate of A.C.T.’s M.F.A. Toni-Leslie James (B.F.A. 1979) Advanced Training Program. Toni is now teaching at Virginia Annette Reid (B.C. 1985) Commonwealth University. Her daughter Annette appeared in Jerry Sroka's He recently acted in SF Playhouse’s Cosi helped Bucknell’s basketball semi-autobiographical comedy In the production of Six Degrees of Separation. team win the Patriot League D1 NCAA Wings, at the Whitefire Theatre in His television credits include Nash championship. Sherman Oaks, California, March - May. Bridges, Moonlighting, The Late Show,

encore 2008 23 (continued)

A & E's Comedy on the Road, and Dennis Hassan (M.F.A. 1993) numerous PBS programs, including Dennis received The National Teaching Steven Weiss (Ph.D. 1994) being the host of Video Field Trips. As Artist Grant in recognition of Outstanding Steven is still teaching at Coe College a magician, Ken was voted #1 Street Achievement as a Theater Artist where he staged a production of All’s Performer in San Francisco, appeared in and Educator at the Kennedy Center Well That Ends Well. concert with Jay Leno, Red Skelton, Ellen American College Theater Festival. De Generes, The Manhattan Transfer, The $2000 grant was in support of a Mark Winchester (M.A. 1990, Ph.D. toured all over the world, and performed professional development opportunity of 1995) for Queen Elizabeth II of England. his choice. Mark participated in the 3rd Annual Brain Tumor Path to Progress 5K run in 1990’s Brad Fryman (M.F.A. 1996) Chicago to raise money for the research Brad directed A Thousand Variations programs of the American Brain Tumor Emily Bach (B.A. 1996) On A Lie Told Once by Stacey Lane Association. Mark also started a facebook Emily is performing in The Bird Feeder, a which was produced by Oberon Theatre group for Theatre Alumni. dance piece with choreography by Ensemble at the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre Fannie Hungerford and live original in New York. 2000’s music by Joshua Dumas and Whitney Johnson. Her four dance partners are Megan Mateer (M.A. 1999) Sara Borgeson (M.F.A. 2003) Katy Collins, Jason Economus, Joshua Megan portrayed one of the "famous Sara played Stella May in The Hermosa Holden and Daniel Malone. The piece is historians" on a new History Channel Beach Playhouse production of Come part of the Antigone Coffeehouse festival production called The Chamber due to air Back to the Five and Dime Jimmy Dean, produced by Caffeine Theatre in the sometime in February. The show is about Jimmy Dean, which received a great Lincoln Square Art Center in Chicago. medieval torture devices. review in the Los Angeles Times. She is also appearing as Mary and is sharing the stage with Bryan Burke, Roy Sexton (M.A. 1997) Carie DeVito (M.F.A. 2002) Simone Roos and Adam Sweeders in The Roy completed his M.B.A. at the Carie is teaching theatre at Ramapo Melville Boys, by Norm Foster, directed University of Michigan and was recently College of New Jersey. Her husband by Kurt Naebig with the Buffalo Theatre promoted to Corporate Director Chris was accepted into a police Ensemble in Chicago. Emily recently of Strategic Communications and academy for deputy sheriff. signed with Chicago-based Encore Planning at Oakwood Healthcare, a Talent Agency. This affiliation offers her $1 billion health system based out of Dean Evans (B.A. 2003) opportunities for higher-profile theatrical Dearborn, Michigan. His responsibilities Deans work with the Neo-Futurists was (feature film and stage) and commercial include strategic planning, marketing, featured in a May 2008 Stage Directions work, not only in the Windy City, but in and internal communications for the magazine article entitled, “New Visions in regional and national venues and projects organization. Roy’s e-mail address is Artistic Direction: How Two Bold Theatres as well. Emily invites you to visit www. [email protected] and he’d love to are Trying to Reinvent the A.D. Wheel,” by emilybach.net. hear from his fellow '90s OSU Theatre Bret Love. friends. Patrick Barnes (M.F.A. 1992) Lise “Kat” Evans (M.F.A. 2006) Patrick is a Development Writer at Michael E. Steinberg (M.F.A. 1998) Kat performed in a midwest premiere of Lincoln Center Institute for Arts in Michael is still with the Lighting Design Bare: A Pop Opera and played Princess Education (www.lcinstitute.org). Group in NYC, though he is no longer Jasmine in Disney's Aladdin Jr. for Previously he was at the New York at CNBC. He is now spending his time the Emerald City Theatre Company Regional Association of Grantmakers working on a variety of Projects for LDG, at the Apollo Theatre in Chicago working with 280 or so foundations and in Architectural and Systems Design and in May. For more information visit: corporate grantmakers in the area. in Broadcast Lighting. He lit the outdoor emeraldcitytheatre.com/aladdin.shtml musical performances for ABC's Dick He writes the music for 2-3 shows each Clark's Rockin' New Years Eve 2008. Sarah Gilmore (B.A. 2005) year with The 52nd Street Project Sarah finished a M.A. at Kansas State (www.52project.org), a nonprofit that John H. Taylor (M.A. 1990, Ph.D. 1994) last spring. She is in Providence, Rhode teams up students from Hell's Kitchen John has been granted Full Professor Island, working for Trinity Repertory with theatre professionals - the students status at Adams State College in Company as the sound intern. She write plays, act in others, working Colorado. ran sound and video for Some Things their way up to Shakespeare by their are Private, a new play. Aside from late teens, getting mentoring and Micheal Jon Washer (BA 1994) running shows, she’s been doing a bit scholarships. As composer he gets to Mila Christine Washer, daughter of Mike of everything sound-related, from fixing write songs for people like Edie Falco and Michele (Morin) Washer (B.A. 1998) cables and hanging speakers to tuning and Fran McDormand. Patrick was in a was born January 7, 2008 at 10:58 am. musical wine glasses and constructing a new play at the Actor's Studio called The At birth, she weighed 9 pounds 4 ounces “washtub bass.” Wound of Love. and measured 22 inches long. Everyone including big sister Miri is healthy and happy.

24 encore 2008 (continued)

from the past with readings of some Golden Hour (a CBS pilot) The United Kathleen Gonzales (M.F.A. 2002) of the most influential and powerful States of Tara (a Showtime pilot) and Kathleen performed her one-woman American plays, and we will work to Seven Pounds (a movie starring Will show, The Bridge of Bodies, as part nurture new voices in the American Smith, Woody Harrelson, and Rosario of The Mead Theatre Lab Program at theatre through several exciting Dawson.) Flashpoint in Washington, D.C. and initiatives designed to generate, support received many positive reviews from the and produce new works.” Robert Lublin (Ph.D. 2003) local press. Robert is Assistant Professor of Theatre Robin Gordon (M.F.A. 2000) Arts at the University of Massachusetts Jason Hedden (M.F.A. 2006) Robin accepted a position at Bowling Boston and is currently completing a Jason is in his 2nd year teaching theatre Green State University in Bowling Green, book examining costuming practices at Monte Vista Christian School near Ohio, to begin in August following several on the Shakespearean stage. Theatre Santa Cruz, CA. He directed a cast of 14 years as Artistic Associate at CATCO. Survey published his article, “‘An Vnder in a production of The Miracle Worker in She will be Assistant Director, Arts Black Dubblett Signifying a Spanish Hart’: their newly renovated black box space. Village Learning Community. According Costumes and Politics in Middleton’s A His advanced students put on a New to Robin, “Arts Village is essentially Game at Chess” in November 2007. Works showcase of material they created an arts immersion dorm that actively all semester. Jason started a thespian engages in service learning, workshops, Mary (Yaw) McMullen (M.F.A. 2007) troupe there. His students provided events, field trips, and art assignments Mary received a Central Ohio Theatre some narration for Festival of Carols and in and out of the classroom. The position Roundtable Award for her design of performed an outdoor production of will be split between teaching a 2/2 Mary Stuart at OSU and Actors’ Theatre Oklahoma! in May. load in the Department of Theatre and of Columbus. She also designed Film and overseeing Arts Village funding, costumes for The Foursome at CATCO Laura Gale (Simpson) (B.A. 2002), planning, programming, promotion, and and has been hired full-time by the OSU Allyson Morgan (B.A. 2004) and participation.” Department of Dance Costume Studio. Joseph Schultz (B.A. 2003) The New York Theatre Experiment Creighton James (B.A. 2000) Jeremy Meier (M.F.A. 2002) began their series “One NYTE Stands: Creighton understudied the roles of Jeremy married Adrian and started a Great American Plays” with a reading of Lenny, Teddy and Joey in the Broadway new teaching position at Owens State Clifford Odets' Waiting for Lefty directed production of The Homecoming. Community College in Toledo. Before by Executive Artistic Director Laura moving, he was teaching at Central Gale, and featuring company members Suellen Kasiara (B.A. 2005) Michigan University where he facilitated Emberli Edwards and Allyson Morgan, Suellen is Secretary and Member of the a brand new class that he developed along with several other very talented Board of Directors for Raconteur Theatre called Biographical Solo Performance. actors. The reading was presented in Company, a new theatre company in His students researched the American April at Manhattan Theatre Club. Also Columbus with a mission “to produce 1920's and each selected a prominent in April, for the first time the New York consistently high quality plays that tell person from the times to research Theatre Experiment offered an exclusive, engaging and challenging stories that are as inspiration for the the creation of intimate “Industry Night” for the actors relevant to people in all walks of life.” an original monologue which they in their community. They provided performed for the faculty and students. the opportunity to audition for and ask Brittany Kiefer (B.A. 2007) He also taught a course on performing questions of 5 industry professionals: Brittany has been touring with Walking prose and poetry. casting directors Gayle Keller (Gayle With Dinosaurs since October 2007. She Keller Casting), Julie Schubert (Denise works as part of a team of three in the Allyson Morgan (B.A. 2004) Chamian Casting) agent Christina Wright Skins/Fabrication Department. The team Allyson played the sick babysitter on As (CESD), agent Michael Goddard (Nicolosi is responsible for all the outside covering, The World Turns. Her scenes aired April and Co.) and Rori Bergman (Jeanne or skin, of their ten life sized animatronic 21, 2008 on CBS. Allyson said, “I do have McCarthy Casting). dinosaurs. They make sure the dinos 3 scenes, so you'll get to see the whole look aesthetically how they are supposed arc of my character in under 5 lines.” They also announced the New York to before going on stage. They are also Theatre Experiment's 2008 season. responsible for dressing their physical Christina Ritter (Ph.D. 2007) According to their release, “This year, performers in the five dinosaur suits Christina played Anne Lindberg in the inspired by the exciting wave of change which are about 90 lbs each. She has for/word company production of North afoot in American culture and politics, signed a contract through March '09. by Jennifer Schlueter in Chicago for a we are embarking on an exploration of three-week limited engagement run at American theatre, voices, images, ideas, Eric Keitel (B.A. 2005) the American Theater Company in June and themes. During this season-long Eric appeared as an extra in Without A 2008. North, which moves between endeavor, which we have affectionately Trace on CBS, The Office on NBC, Greek 1939 and 1944, tells the story of a dubbed The American Experiment, we on ABC Family, Ghost Whisperer on CBS, charged meeting between author/writer will explore and celebrate great voices Everybody Hates Chris on UPN, Austin Anne Morrow Lindbergh, wife to aviator Charles, and, the man whom she felt best

encore 2008 25 understood her work. The show received The Basic School (TBS), a six-month rave reviews from the Chicago Tribune course for newly commissioned officers and other Chicago media. Christina in the United States Marine Corps. was also a guest lecturer in the OSU Firman (Bo) Brown (Professor Emeritus and Department of Theatre. Tyler Seiple (B.A. 2006) former chair) Tyler participated in the Orange County Bo received an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Jennifer Schlueter (Ph.D. 2007) and Marathon in January as a member of from The University of Montana in May. Brad Steinmetz (M.F.A. 2003) Team One Million Ways to help the Jennifer and Brad announced the arrival children of Good Shepherd Orphanage. Michael Dempsey of Jack Carter Steinmetz, 9lbs 6oz, 22 (Check out the website: Michael is a novelist, playwright, inches on November 5, 2007 joining big www.onemillionways.org). television and film writer whose most brother Henry to make a family of four. notable credit is as a staff writer for Jennifer directed and wrote the for/word Amira Soliman (B.A. 2007) CBS’s Cybill starring Cybill Shepherd. company production of North in Chicago Amira co-produced the film Dionysus, Currently, he lives in New Haven, CT and for a three-week limited engagement Help Me… which played at the Landmark has shifted his writing focus to fiction. run at the American Theater Company (previously Drexel) Gateway Theatre in Necropolis is his first novel and the result in June 2008. The show received rave Columbus. of a lifetime’s passion for speculative and reviews from the Chicago Tribune and crime fiction. other Chicago media. In his article Mark Soloff (M.A. 2006) entitled “The Evolving Relationship Mark has been moving through Second Larry Evans Between Artist and Patron” published City's Conservatory program and will Larry played J.B. Biggley in How to Succeed in Theater author George Hunka said graduate from it in a few months. He in Business Without Really Trying at The Ohio Jennifer’s article about Charles Mee acted in a Commedia Dell'Arte show State University Mansfield Department of entitled “Angels in the American Theater” with a small company called Promethean Theatre in May. was particularly strong. Jen starts her Theatre playing il Dottore. He received new job as a tenure track Assistant mentions in two separate Chicago Rex McGraw (Professor Emeritus) Professor of Theatre at Oregon State reviews. He also participated in National Rex McGraw spent the summer of 2007 co- University where husband Brad will hold Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo) in directing a new outdoor drama in Manassas, an adjunct position this fall. November. Virginia. The play was entitled The Gray Ghost and dramatized the actions of John Joel Searls (B.A. 2007) Adam West (M.F.A. 2004) Mosby, a Confederate Ranger, who robbed Joel is currently stationed in Quantico, Adam left his job teaching at SUNY Northern supply trains for food and horses Virginia at Camp Barrett. He completed Geneseo at the beginning of the summer for the South. The cast included 30 actors, 2007 to try to get into the video game seven children, five musicians, a balladeer, industry as a concept artist. After and four horses that appeared in the battle months of job searching and dozens of scenes. The play was written by Ken Elston ignored applications, he began tutoring (M.F.A. 1996) who also co-directed. At Ohio for a tutoring agency; teaching reading, State, Ken took several of McGraw’s classes. Alumni and Friends writing and arithmetic to kids aged 6-18. One of his students staged the battle scenes, He now works for EC2 Costumes, a union so it was three academic-generations- costume house in L.A. and the studio production. In addition, Molly Elston (B.A. We want to hear from you! of Bob Mackie, who designed for Carol 1996) functioned as stage manager. Please send updates and Burnett (the Curtain Rod dress from her photos to Gone with the Wind spoof) Cher, Barbie's Sally Oswald (Guest Artist) [email protected] most expensive stuff and many others. Sally’s play Vendetta Chrome, which was or Ret Turner, an Emmy-winning costume presented at OSU as a workshop production, designer who did costumes for The encore was selected for New York debut. The play Donny and Marie Show, The Dinah Shore The Ohio State University will have a showcase production at Clubbed Show and many others also works there. Thumb, a cool downtown company, in their Department of Theatre Adam hopes to eventually work on film 1089 Drake Performance and Summerworks festival at the Ohio Theater in costuming. Soho June 15-21, 2008. Event Center 1849 Cannon Drive Sue Ott Rowlands (Dean of Arts and Columbus OH 43210-1208 Sciences at Virginia Tech Univerisity) Sue is pleased to announce that she is a proud Working: A Musical grandmother for the 2nd time! Her daughter “...a lively production Carlie Rowlands and her partner Mike Desert that makes the most have a new daughter named Mackenzie of [the] huge cast.” Desert, born Sunday February 20 in Toledo, - Richard Ades, The Other Paper OH. Mackenzie joins her big sister, Kaela Rowlands (now almost 4 years old!). Carlie and Mike are planning a wedding in the fall. 26 encore 2008 The Esoteric Players standing in a trunk. Front Row: Elaine Burke, Laurie Burke. Back Row: Denis Freeh, Richard D. Farshler, Jeffrey Weissman. Just for Laughs By Denis Freeh (B.A. 1963)

The Roy Bowen Theatre has hosted the highest level of classic 45 years later, Richard and I came back on campus to perform drama, tragedy and political satire. Our performance weekend Just for Laughs, our award winning madcap revue. The show in April was – well, different. The set was a giant logo of a man stars Jeffrey Weissman from Back To The Future II and III and slipping on a banana peel. The audiences were greeted by head Phill Wilson, Ph.D. was in the audience opening night. Chair, usher, Charlie Chaplin, who flirted with the ladies and became Mark Shanda enabled us to create the “Laughs” student theatre entangled in their purses. The overture was played by the 6 piece scholarship with 100% of all ticket sales going to the scholarship. orchestra, plus the audience playing bicycle horns, pan lids, bag The funds will help many directors, actors, and tech students pipes and a plastic chain saw. The red wigged Fabulous Flames with financial help when they need it most – as funding for sang “You’re Mature”, the rather large matador – El Magnifico that audition, job interview or critical creative seminar. All of was prepared for the bull ring by Pedro – his clumsy attendant, our company was touched to learn that faculty members were Groucho musically remembered “The Tattooed Lady,” Tonga was buying tickets to support our cause. Mark Shanda not only had a hula dancer with hay fever, a production number featured a thought outside the box, he sat on the carton. (Not a pretty sight.) dancing toilet as plumbers tried to cope with a duck who kept appearing, vanishing and reappearing, a talking lobster escaped Our star, Jeffrey Weissman, recently participated in a Florida, from the kitchen, and hapless mentalist, Mr. Memory, left his Back To The Future Convention that raised $800,000 for charity. trousers in the dressing room. Slapstick comedy was alive and Our “Laughs” scholarship is at the other end of the spectrum; well on Cannon Drive. The generous audiences did not stand in we’re dealing in dollars – one by one. At age 67, I’ve co written appreciation. On cue, they closed the performances by providing a TV pilot that is in final negotiations with two major studio’s. If a whoopy cushion – Sitting Whoopy ending. So much for the against all odds, it makes it on the air in 2009, our scholarship invisible barrier! We were back. will get a major boost. In the mean time, we need your help. Cash in the coins in your change jar and mail a small check made out In 1963, Richard Farshler, Phill Wilson and I created and to The Ohio State University, Laughs Scholarship, mail to The performed The Esoterics At Large, a Derby Hall experimental Ohio State University Department of Theatre, 1089 Drake Center, theatre revue. With standing room crowds, we found our 1849 Cannon Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43210. I’ve performed production on both public and commercial television. Phill at Carnegie Hall and in The Tropicana and Riviera main hotel had a top 50 hit record, I was doing comedy improv radio and showrooms. Performing Just for Laughs on campus and working Richard was - really funny. Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary with the student orchestra and tech crews was by far, the most saw us perform in Dayton and several months later we signed satisfying performances of my life. They say you can’t go home. as the comedy act for The Hootenanny national tour, playing We did! Oh, and remember that change jar. Carnegie Hall 3 times. We recorded our comedy on Olympic. It’s

encore 2007 27 Midnight Robbers: The Artists of Notting Hill Carnival By Lesley Ferris, Professor

Midnight Robbers: The Artists of Notting Hill Carnival, a groundbreaking exhibition co-curated by Lesley Ferris (OSU Theatre) and Ruth Tompsett (Middlesex University) opened in London at City Hall in September 2007, the year that marks two hundred years since the cessation of British slave trading. It was a timely anniversary for exploring and reflecting upon the slavery legacy of which carnival is so significant a part. The exhibition provided a much needed opportunity to showcase the work of Members of Lesley Ferris’ and Ruth Tompsett’s Theatre 802: Contemporary Carnival class. Front left carnival artists—as artists—in an art form that is only just to right: Lesley Ferris, Ruth Tompsett, Carl Gabriel, Charmel Joiner, James Marchant. Back left to right: starting to receive the recognition it deserves. Its location Seunghyun Hwang, Chris Matsos, Jirye Lee, Dries Vandorpe, Melissa Lee, Karl Scholl, Chuyoung Chon, Eric Mayer, Ian Pugh. on the river used the Thames as a literal undercurrent, the pathway where products of slave plantations reached the mother country to build the wealth of the colonial power and it is this power that carnival so innovatively dismantles each year it takes to the streets. In addition to photographs, original drawings, costumes, and video, the exhibition featured the Carnival Interactive, a multi- media computer program developed and designed by OSU Design student Brandan Craft and other students on the design team under the leadership of Brian Stone L to R: Edgar Lampert, Mayor Coleman, Karen Bell, (OSU Design). The Carnival Interactive was funded by the E. Gordon Gee, Kelly Stevelt Kaser, Guy Worley. Colleges of the Arts and Humanities Faculty Innovation Grant. The exhibition came to Columbus where it opened the new OSU Urban Art Space (the old Lazarus Building downtown) in January 2008. The exhibition was funded by Arts Council England and The Mayor of London. In Columbus it received support from (PTO). Midnight Robbers: The Artists of Notting Hill Carnival opening at the OSU Urban Arts Space on February 8, 2008. Midnight Robbers: The Artists of Notting Hill Carnival opening at the OSU Urban Arts Space on February 8, 2008.

From Theory to Practice Comparative Drama Conference The Classroom, The Exhibit, and Study Abroad By ChuYoung Chon (Ph.D. Student) By Charmel A. Joiner (Ph.D. Student) From March 27th to 31st, the 32nd Comparative Drama Conference was held at Radisson Hotel, In February 2008, I was hired as a student and significance of the Notting Hill Carnival, Culver City, LA, CA. I attended the conference in assistant to work at The Ohio State University and the exhibit enabled visitors to engage in 2003 while doing my masters at Miami University, Urban Arts Space located in the former the carnival practices. Students and teachers but this was my first presentation. I thank Professor Lazarus building in downtown Columbus. from the Africentric School, the Christopher Constantinidis who sat in my panel almost right The inaugural exhibit that premiered at its Arts Program, and OSU dance majors enjoyed after his arrival from Columbus. Ph.D. Students grand opening was The Midnight Robbers: guided tours, lectures, and a Caribbean dance Jason Bush, ChuYoung Chon, Chris Matsos, Bethany The Artists of Notting Hill Carnival. For workshop facilitated by “yours truly”, amidst Banister, and Caehlin Bell (M.A. 2008) presented approximately six weeks, I was immersed the back drop of the Notting Hill exhibit. papers at the conference. Scholars from Japan in the history, music, photographs, attended my panel and the renowned theatre scholar, Marvin Carlson, sat right behind me in one costumes, interviews, and lectures related In August, as part of the London Study Abroad of sessions I attended. It was a wonderful moment to to this Caribbean derived celebration of the Theatre program, I travelled to London and see scholars of all age, from different regions gather emancipation of slavery. This phenomenal participated in the Notting Hill Carnival. The together and share their research with each other. exhibit was the focal point of Theatre program gave me the opportunity to put 802: Contemporary Carnival, a class I was theory into practice during this once in a life enrolled in during the exhibitions opening. time event. Check on my post story of the “Wit, style and imaginative The course allowed students to examine Carnival in the next issue of Encore. staging make The Labyrinth theoretical concepts related to the history of Desire one of the season’s The set of Battlefield Ohio: The Daily Shows’ Midwest Midterm Midtacular in the Roy Bowen Theatre. most vivid productions.” - Michael Grossberg, The Columbus Dispatch 28 encore 2007 Congratulations and Farewell Sonja Kalamas-Elder By Mark Shanda (chair and professor)

The Department of Theatre announced be greatly missed. The department dedicated the retirement of Sonja Kalamas-Elder on its winter production of Much Ado About February 29, 2008. Mrs. Kalamas-Elder has Nothing to Sonja and a celebration in her been a colleague, friend, problem solver, honor was held on Friday, February 29. At and stalwart supporter of the Department of the party, letters from four of the department Theatre for many years. She was associated chairs whom she served were read. Each with the university for the past 36 years, letter spoke in different ways to Sonja’s care serving on the University Staff Advisory and concern for each and every student and Committee during the first Gee administration faculty member during many years of service. and in 1995 receiving the Distinguished Staff We wish Sonja the very best in her retirement Award. Her able skills, willing spirit and and hope that she stays connected to OSU dedication to The Ohio State University will Theatre for many years to come.

Making Strides in Black Theatre By Raymond Caldwell (M.F.A. Acting Student)

Theatre by African Americans and about African Americans came to OSU in the spring of 2008 when a new organization, The Black Student Theatre Network (BSTN) was established by M.F.A. Actor Raymond Caldwell. BSTN produced as its premier production The Colored Museum, a series of humorous and poignant vignettes by George C. Wolfe. The show is a satire on the contradictions of being black and living in America. In this extraordinary museum, eleven exhibits "popped to life" to portray the moving voices and stories of the African American experience. The Colored Museum was presented at the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center to almost sold out crowds. The poster from BSTN’s production of The Colored Museum. Through audience donations, BSTN raised over $300 for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. It is the continued organizational goal of the BSTN to study and produce theatre about African Americans and the African America Michelle Golden as “Mama” in The Last Mama on the Couch Play experience. The organization will produce three - The Colored Museum plays for the 2008-2009 season including Hungry (a children’s theatre tour), Day of Absence, and a newly devised work. For further information about BSTN productions or for membership information email Artistic Director Raymond Caldwell and Assistant Artistic Director Kayla Jackmon at [email protected].

encore 2008 29 Buckeye TV By David Fisher Film/Video Lecturer and Buckeye TV Coordinator The Ohio State University student-run TV station had an exciting year. All of the regular shows airing on Buckeye TV, including Buckeye TV News 19, The Sport Perspective, Music on Campus, Backtalk LIVE, Jackpot Trivia and Try Your Luck were back with new episodes. Kollege returned, along with a new sit-com, Room and Bored. Creating a lot of buzz were new shows that students produced, including the Ohio Talent Search that featured singers, dancers, and musicians competing ala America Idol for a grand prize. Another interesting new comedy show called The Campus Report premiered with an all-star line up of guests including Miss Ohio Roberta Camp, Archie Griffin, and Senator John Glenn. Backtalk LIVE featured many student organizations on campus including the Archery Club, the Karate Club, 4H, Ballroom Dancers, Rap Dancers, and many more. The season finale featured Dr E. Gordon Gee as he answered President E. Gordon Gee, Ben Brown and Stephanie Chandler on the set of Buckeye TV. student questions about life at OSU. Buckeye TV also started broadcasting a former NBC show called Quarterlife that looks at life in the transition between the college years and the working career. The Buckeye TV Weather Department broadcasts daily weather updates with a staff of five students from the Geography Department. We look forward to an exciting fall season on Buckeye TV. Stay tuned for more new shows and check us out on the web at www.buckeyetv.com for streaming video broadcasting.

“Could it be that Lope de Vega’s Spain tolerated sexual adventurousness only as long as lip service was paid to the Christopher M. Roche and Kal Poole in a scene from North. sanctity of marriage? Such questions form a labyrinth North goes to Chicago of discussion that you can By Christina Ritter (Ph.D. 2007) explore after the echoes of laughter finally die down in North tells the story of a charged meeting between writer Anne Morrow Lindbergh, wife to aviator Charles, and Antoine de Saint-Exupery, the man whom she felt best understood your mind.” her work. Their brief meeting is the beginning point in a spiral of events and memories - Richard Ades, The Other Paper on The Labrynth of Desire that ultimately make North the story of one woman’s struggle to orient herself, to reconcile motherhood with work and love with duty, and to articulate the responsibility of the artist to a world sunk in war.In keeping with the for/word company’s creative technique, North is based in the historical record. The text is constructed exclusively from Anne Morrow “One wouldn’t expect a stu- Lindbergh’s prolific letters and journals, memoirs, fiction, poetry, and wartime polemics. It dent cast, however gifted, to also draws from material written by Charles Lindbergh and by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, capture the rainbow of colors, including his poetic works on flight, his journals and letters, and his famous children’s book, moods, styles and themes in The Little Prince. The Trojan Women 2.0...yet... The for/word company brought North to Chicago for a three-week limited engagement Ohio State University theater run at the American Theater Company from June 5 to 22, 2008. The play was performed department’s production by Christina Ritter (Ph.D. 2008) who played Anne Lindbergh, Christopher Roche (M.F.A. shatters those expectations 2006, Ph.D. Student) who played Antoine de Saint-Exupery and Kal Poole (M.F.A. Student) while fulfilling others through who played Charles Lindbergh. It was written and directed by Jennifer Schlueter (Ph.D. an artful fusion of text and 2007) and created by the for/word company. Of the performance Chicago Tribune writer movement.” Kerry Reid said, “Wistful, poetic, and wise...it’s an admirable calling card for a new company - Michael Grossberg, The Columbus Dispatch dedicated to creating works that ‘reimagine’ the historical record.”

30 encore 2008 Marceau Marceau demonstrating one of his signature techniques to students during his 2001 OSU Theatre residency.

worked and where other moments didn’t work; and perhaps the most intimidating and yet most deeply fortunate, he privately direct my mime technique and performance work.

In 1990 he said to me and his manager that he believed that there were three primary teachers in the United States who he believed truly understood and had proved that they could teach what he found to be the most important elements of his technique and style. I was the only woman he mentioned… That placed upon my heart the burden that comes with such a great gift. This burden, this gift, this opportunity has inspired in me the burning Remembrances of Marcel Marceau desire to not only teach his work but to also By Jeanine Thompson, Associate Professor develop an archive for his work in the United States. America was very important to Mr. The first few weeks after Marcel Marceau’s It was at that time that I realized that Mr. Marceau. He was so deeply grateful for our passing my life perfectly echoed this quote by Marceau’s work was the crystallization of what troops saving his country during WWII. And he him: “Do not the most moving moments of our I had been trying to arrive at by combining knew that his global success in the world was lives find us without words?” Tears have been dance and theatre: in his work, he is expressing greatly due to his initial successes, acceptance flowing more freely than words… Now I will try the essence of character, thought, and emotion and in fact celebration in the United States. He to craft my thoughts into words. in an extremely stylized and poetic physical was invested in securing a legacy of his work form. for American mime artists. I know that I occupy I have been asked by many people to share an essential role in that possibility. with others what Marcel Marceau meant to By the end of the summer seminar Mr. me; what I have learned from him; and what Marceau was so impressed with the quality I coordinated the first of four Marcel Marceau I hope to continue in terms of his work and of my work along with fellow faculty member residencies at The Ohio State University his legacy. I hope the following will begin to Gregg Goldston, of the Goldston School for which included his teaching of daylong address some of these questions. Mime, that he invited us to visit his school master classes for undergraduate, graduate in Paris, France in order to discuss the students and faculty members. Ohio State In 1985 I had the privilege of meeting Marcel differences in what we were teaching at our developed a long relationship with Mr. Marceau after his performance in Berkeley, school compared to his that was enabling our Marceau that has included master classes, California. Having come from a background students to advance so quickly. We went to lecture-demonstrations, performances, filming in modern dance and acting, I was invited by Paris that fall. his undocumented work, motion capture of him to observe instead of participate in his his signature works, and setting up the Marcel upcoming summer seminar held in Ann Arbor, Marceau Archive in the Lawrence and Lee Michigan. I went and our journey together Theatre Research Institute. His death is a began. profound loss for all of us, but we will long cherish his generosity as a teacher, artist and For one week at his summer seminar I sat Master of Movement/Mime. on a cold cement floor for eight hours a day. I analyzed every movement Mr. Marceau did and how he taught it to his students. By not participating I was able to more clearly see what was important to him about his Jeanine Thompson and Marcel Marceau. Wild Stages: Kabarett MFA! technique and style. I had the advantage of “How amazing that the topical objectively seeing the difference between what pieces of the early 20th cen- Mr. Marceau would do and what the students While visiting his school and his home we would do. I learned invaluable lessons by shared many hours discussing the values of tury remain as alive in the early listening to the corrections he made and seeing both of our curriculums and processes for 21st. And how equally amazing the adjustments he gave to each student. My teaching and creating work. Our visit to Paris that this cast brings it all to life dance training served me by developing in inspired the beginning of many years spent me a discerning eye for seeing minute detail together where in which we produced his with such skill.” in every movement. And my acting training summer seminars. We would meet up with - Jay Weitz, Columbus Alive developed in me an understanding of how Mr. him when we were on tour to see how each Marceau was filling the highly stylized physical other was doing; we would discuss the details forms with characters, thoughts and emotions. of his show where he thought some things

encore 2008 31 Back in September of 2007 Elinore Loomis saw cabaret, went to museums, and expe- Research in Germany and I thought, “wouldn’t it be fun if we could rienced the city. The historical significance By Jordan Kardasz (M.F.A. 2008) go do research for Wild Stages in Germany?” of Berlin left such an impression on all of us. Wild Stages was already set to be my thesis The performances we saw and the history we project and Eli was the scenic designer. After learned helped us to understand why cabaret some research and conversations with our was so important in Europe before World War advisors (Mary Tarantino and Dan Gray) we II. After Berlin we spent two days in Paris, learned that that the trip could actually be a again at museums and cabarets, and again reality. We recruited actor Julie Ann McMillan helping us develop ideas for what we wanted on our adventure and received funding from to contribute to the upcoming Wild Stages: both the Department of Theatre and the Col- Kabarett MFA! lege of the Arts. In December we got on a plane and flew to Germany. The time we spent in Europe was incredible! On the trip we truly did learn about cabaret Our research took us to the Deutsches and our designs and performances were Kabarettarchiv in Mainz, Germany where we influenced by the art we saw, the performers spent two days going through photos, letters we spoke to, and the overall experience we and articles relating to the upcoming cabaret had submerging ourselves in the place where Wild Stages: Kabarett MFA! production. From Mainz we moved on to cabaret began. Berlin, which was the highlight of our trip. We

Graduate Students were grateful to Student International Opportunities participate in residencies with the following Wexner Center events:

Estimated number of students: Repertorio Espanol Cronica de una muerte 32 total Theatre students (14 graduate students and 18 undergraduates) anunciada (Chronicle of a Death Foretold) travelled overseas during 2007-08 By Gabriel García Márquez October 2007 Countries visited: Toni Dove: Spectropia Canada, England, France, Germany, Peru, South Africa, South Korea November 2007

The Old Trout Puppet Workshop: Famous Gibson Cima (M.A. 2007) travelled Julie Ann McMillan Puppet Death Scenes to Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown, and (M.F.A. Acting Student) travelled to November 2007 Stoellenbosch, South Africa to conduct Frankfurt, Berlin, and Mainz, Germany; U.S. Premiere Romeo Castellucci/Societas research and attend the IFTR Conference. Washington DC and Paris, France Raffaello Sanzio: Hey Girl! to conduct research for MFA Acting January 2008 Jason Bush (Ph.D. Student) Devised Project: Wild Stages: Kabarett travelled to Lima and Cuzco, Peru, and MFA! Undergraduate Students were grateful Huancavelica, Peru to conduct research Jordan Kardasz (M.F.A. Design to participate in residencies with the for his dissertation, The Peruvian Scissors 2008) travelled to Frankfurt, Berlin, following Wexner Center events: Dance and the Performativity of Heritage. and Mainz, Germany, and Paris, France to conduct research for MFA Acting Lone Twin: Nine Years Chuyoung Chon (Ph.D. Student) Devised Project: Wild Stages: Kabarett Febuary 2008 travelled to Incheon, Kyunggi Province, MFA! Seoul, South Korea and Burbank, CA Pan Pan: Oedipus Loves You to conduct research on the Revival of Elinore Loomis (M.F.A. Design May 2008 Traditional Art Forms in Korea. Student) travelled to Frankfurt, Berlin, and Mainz, Germany, and Paris, France to conduct research for MFA Acting Devised Project: Wild Stages: Kabarett MFA!

32 encore 2008 I would say that the highlight of my experience in London was the opportunity to see so much theatre. Not all of it was good, but it was great to be able to see people putting themselves out there. I left London with a new sense of focus and determination to succeed in my chosen field. Brandon Curtis

Matt Hazard and Peyton Noland building a Carnival costume.

Brandon Curtis, Marysha Sarris and Andrea Schimmoeller show off their costumes for the Notting Hill Carnival.

During my thirty one days in London, I've learned that I can do so much more than graduate and Laura Spires, Amy Witherby, Marysha Sarris move to New York for auditions. I've learned doing a unique version of a familiar cheer with the about myself. While in London, I've learned the assistance of the London Bridge. importance of knowing one's heritage and ancestry, Students enjoy a production of King Lear at the the distinct similarities between Black British Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. citizens and African Americans, and how to truly analyze performance.

London may not have been the quintessence of my theatre education, but the experience taught me so much more than that. I've learned about myself. Over three thousand miles away from home, I've learned about myself as an African American, a female, and an actor. This is who I am. No country or culture can separate me from it, and if anything, Chris Roche, Amani Davidson, Liam Cronin, Danny has given me a deeper understanding of myself and Ferguson, Kayla Jackmon, Anna Hoptry and my own culture. Raymond Caldwell in a scene from Letters Home: Meredith Lark and Angela Henderson walk in the Voices from Iraq. Kayla Jackmon Carnival parade.

group attended was seeing Jeremy Irons as August 24. Single intern projects included London Theatre former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan in a student placed at the National Council of the National Theatre production of Never So Drama Training, another working as an arts Program 2008 Good, a new play by Howard Brenton, and administration intern at Theatro Technis, a attending renowned director Peter Brook's PhD student interning at Oval House on new production of Fragments by Samuel Beckett script writing, and a MFA lighting design In August 2008, Lesley Ferris, professor at the Young Vic. The students also had a student interning at the Royal Court Theatre of theater, led Theatre 674, "Contemporary rich diet of Shakespeare on site, attending with the lighting designer of a new work. British Theatre," a summer study abroad class King Lear and other Shakespeare plays at the to London, England, for both undergrad and Globe Theatre, and two plays performed by At the end of the course, on September 2 at graduate students. Accompanied by two the Royal Shakespeare Company. Theatro Technis, students participated in a assistants, Charmel Joiner and Chris staged reading of a work-in-progress that Roche (both PhD students in the Department Students were required not only to keep a explores the Iraq war in American soldiers' of Theatre), they lived in a residence hall run journal, to present, individually or in pairs, own words through their letters, emails, and by London School of Economics and attended introductions to the scheduled plays, and to blogs. It was developed by Jimmy Bohr, 21 performances in just over four weeks. lead post-performance discussions, but to a director from New York City and now a do "hands-on" research through internships. professor in the Department of Theatre at Ferris set an ambitious agenda for the A group of musical theatre students worked OSU, who plans to produce the completed spectrum of performance, from contemporary with theatre artists at Tricycle Theatre work in Ohio and New York. Letters Home: interpretations and adaptations of company, who develop short musicals with Voices from Iraq was followed by a panel Shakespeare to participating in the Notting young people. Another seven students discussion including George Eugeniou, the Hill Carnival. The London theater scene, she interns took part in the carnival summer theater's founding director. noted, enables students to view outstanding school of Kinetika Arts, where they helped to theater productions, many of them premieres. construct a costume that became part of the A highlight among the productions the Olympic “Passing of the Torch" to London on

encore 2008 33 Some Final Words By Mark Shanda, Chair

“If you don’t’ like change, your going to like irrelevance even less!” At no time in the history of the Department of Theatre have the words from this popular poster had a truer ring. The 2007-08 school year ended with a flurry of big administrative changes that continue to unfold and impact the department.

A major restructuring of the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences has resulted in a new Interim Executive Dean and Vice Provost being appointed for one year (Joan Leitzel), an Interim Dean for the College of the Arts (John Roberts) and a developing merger of the College of the Arts with the College of Humanities as a new “division” within the College Arts and Sciences. Former College of the Arts Dean Karen Bell has been appointed by President Gee to a new position as Associate Vice President for Arts and Culture to provide an even stronger presence for the arts on campus.

These changes and the deliberate process to restructure, as new relationships are defined and internal processes adjusted, have created some uncertainty, but the impact on our students has been minimal. As this future administrative structure becomes clearer, there is great hope for greater stability in funding and increased opportunity for all.

The department also is undergoing a university mandated program review required of all departments once every five years. This opportunity to examine ourselves through a self-study process, invite highly qualified external artists and scholars to visit campus and comment on what they see, and the resultant reports and action plans will also, undoubtedly result in some Medea change.

While all of this is going on, we add on the pending shift from the quarter schedule system to a semester system as suggested by the Ohio Board of Regents Strategic Plan for Higher Education. Although a final vote on campus regarding this massive change has not occurred The Labyrinth of Desire yet, all signs are that we will be making the shift by the fall of 2012. “...the 12-member cast Although all change can be difficult, we actually embrace these circumstances as opportunities generated merriment and for real improvement and renewed commitment to our educational mission. We are all about to excitement...” “put on a new show” with a script that is a “work in progress.” No department should be better - Michael Grossberg prepared for this time than the Department of Theatre. The Columbus Dispatch

We will keep you posted!

Mark Shanda

Much Ado About Nothing

Vendetta Chrome 34 encore 2008 Theatre Alumni We want to hear from you! Please fill out the form below, or email your update to [email protected]. Information received by June 1, 2009 will be included in the next on line issue of encore! Please visit theatre.osu.edu/encore/ to see current and previous issues.

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Friends of OSU Theatre Address Roy Bowen Theatre Fund

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Phone Alumni Relations, Department of Theatre 1089 Drake Center 1849 Cannon Drive Columbus, OH 43210-1266 614.292.5821 Email Fax 614.292.3222 Email [email protected]

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A scene from OSU Theatre’s production of Working: A Musical.